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Time is Running Out to Advocate for BEAD Non-Deployment Funding – November 2025

Author/Source: Angela Siefer See the full link here

Takeaway

This article explains that states are making plans for how to spend money from the BEAD program to connect more people to the internet. You’ll learn why it’s important to tell your state government to set aside some of this money to help people learn how to use the internet and afford devices, not just to build internet lines.

Technical Subject Understandability

Beginner

Analogy/Comparison

Think of it like this: the BEAD program is giving money to build a new library for everyone. The “deployment” part is for building the actual building and stocking it with books, but the “non-deployment” part is for making sure people know how to read, have a library card, and can travel to the library. Both parts are needed for the library to truly serve the community.

Why It Matters

It matters because a lot of government money, over $42 billion, is being given to states to help more people get online. If states only spend this money on building internet lines and not on helping people learn digital skills or get devices, many will still be left out. For example, some people might not know how to use a computer or might not be able to afford one even if internet is available, so they still can’t connect.

Related Terms

BEAD, Digital Inclusion, Non-Deployment Funding, NTIA, IIJA, Initial Proposal, Volume 1 and Volume 2 of the Initial Proposal. Jargon Conversion: BEAD (Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment) is a government program that gives money to states to help more people get access to high-speed internet. Digital Inclusion means making sure everyone has the chance to use and benefit from technology and the internet, no matter their background. Non-Deployment Funding is money set aside for activities like teaching people computer skills, helping them get affordable internet and devices, and creating places where they can access public computers. NTIA (National Telecommunications and Information Administration) is the government agency in charge of the BEAD program. IIJA (Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act) is the big law that created the BEAD program and set aside money for it. An Initial Proposal is the detailed plan each state must create and submit to the NTIA explaining how they will use their BEAD money. Volume 1 and Volume 2 of the Initial Proposal are two different parts of a state’s plan; Volume 1 focuses on building internet infrastructure, and Volume 2 focuses on things like digital skills training and device access (non-deployment).

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