D.C. Memo: FBA's Bolton Scolds Lutnick — 'All Americans Deserve Fiber'

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BEAD: Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick put the word out Wednesday that BEAD money is going to shift from fiber projects to satellite providers like Starlink and fixed wireless access service providers – perhaps dramatically. According to a Wall Street Journal report, Elon Musk’s Starlink could get up to $20 billion in BEAD funding or nearly half of BEAD’s $42.45 billion budget under Lutnick's approach. Fiber Broadband Association President and CEO Gary Bolton was evidently stunned by the about-face at Commerce rumored to be in the works for weeks. “All Americans deserve fiber for their critical broadband infrastructure,” Bolton said in an email to Policyband. “Anything less is a disservice to any American home or business that is left behind.” Bolton’s statement did not address high per-location cost associated with fiber – an issue Lutnick flagged at his Jan. 29 confirmation hearing. “I heard a story where they were planning to run fiber for $200,000 to a house that was worth $125,000. The waste of America is over in the Commerce Department,” Lutnick told the Senate Commerce Committee. NTIA has approved three states to start signing contracts with BEAD ISP subgrantees – but the Trump administration has reportedly put the funding on hold. One state – Nevada – was approved in the final days of the Biden administration to provide $22 million to Beehive Broadband at $77,000 per location. (Continued after paywall.)