As broadband infrastructure deployments expand across the country, driven in part by federal programs like BEAD, the challenges with permitting and approvals for routes crossing federally administered lands have come to the forefront. Among the most complex permitting scenarios are fiber or wireless routes that propose to cross or occupy lands managed by the U.S. […]
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Record retention requirements for BEAD: What subgrantees need to know
Receiving a Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) grant is an exciting milestone for any organization working to close the digital divide. But long after the last mile of fiber is installed or low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite capacity is available to an eligible location, subgrantees still have critical compliance obligations to fulfill. One of the […]
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Verifying fiber IRU valuations as in-kind match: What you need to know
When applying for federal broadband grants, many applicants look to leverage existing infrastructure assets to meet cost-sharing requirements. One of the most common — and most misunderstood — assets used as in-kind match is the indefeasible right of use (IRU) for fiber optic infrastructure. Getting the valuation right is not just a best practice; the […]
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Getting in-kind match right: Why proper asset valuation is critical to BEAD project success
Properly valuing existing assets used as in-kind match is one of the most important compliance requirements for BEAD subgrantees. Federal regulations establish clear standards for how these contributions must be calculated and documented; failure to comply with those requirements can result in rejected match contributions or otherwise jeopardize your funding request. How do you value […]
The AI infrastructure revolution happening in your community: What states, localities, and utilities need to know
By Jacob Levin and Joanne Hovis While headlines focus on massive hyperscale data centers in remote locations, a quieter but significant infrastructure shift is unfolding closer to home. Smaller AI computing centers are beginning to appear deep in America’s towns and cities—at existing telecommunications facilities, at the base of cell towers, and even at power […]
Why performance testing is so critical for BEAD-funded LEO projects: What states and localities need to know
Why performance testing is so critical for BEAD-funded LEO projects: What states and localities need to know By Ziggy Rivkin-Fish, V.P. Broadband Strategy, CTC Technology & Energy February 23, 2026 The BEAD Final Proposals are all in—and a significant share of states’ BEAD funding has been awarded to low-Earth orbit (LEO) providers. Given how many […]
How local governments can attract fiber investments now: Public-private partnerships after BEAD and ARPA
February 2026 As state broadband offices finalize their BEAD awards and spend the last of their ARPA funds, local government leaders have a clear view of the new federally funded broadband infrastructure coming to their communities. But in cities and rural communities alike, that federal funding will not deliver robust terrestrial broadband service to every […]
How local governments can attract fiber investments now: Public-private partnerships in the BEAD era
Changes are likely coming to the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program—and the clock is ticking on any remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds that might be earmarked for broadband projects. In light of those uncertainties, local governments should consider developing strategies to attract broadband investment in their communities. These approaches may include […]
CTC congratulates Delaware and Nevada on publishing BEAD Final Proposals
Delaware and Nevada both recently announced their awards for broadband infrastructure deployment under the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. Administered by the National Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce, BEAD is a $42.45 billion program intended to connect the 25 million Americans who lack adequate high-speed Internet access. CTC […]
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The Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program application window is open for local governments and nonprofits
The wait is over: The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) opened the application window for the first round of the much-anticipated $1.25 billion Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program, which will award funds to local governments and other eligible entities to complement the state-level efforts funded by NTIA’s Digital Equity Capacity […]