1. Delays in getting broadband to the folks. Some states are on the 1 yard line. A bunch are on the 5 yard line. Extra might be getting there each week. These more-sweeping modifications will solely trigger delays. The administration might repair the issues with this system through waiver and keep away from slowdowns. Shovels might already be within the floor in three states, and so they could possibly be within the floor in half the nation by the summer season with out the proposed modifications to challenge choice.
2. Extra folks will get Starlink/Kuiper, and fewer folks will get fiber connection. This could possibly be dramatic, or it could possibly be measured, relying on the place the admin units the edge restrict, and whether or not states are permitted to award tasks above the brand new threshold on the idea of worth per greenback, or in the event that they’re pressured to take the most cost effective proposal, even when it supplies poorer service.
3. The three states with authorized Ultimate Proposals stay in limbo. They’re at present held in NIST evaluate relating to their proposed FPFRs (the budgets accompanying their authorized remaining proposals).
This is mindless – these states are able to go, and so they bought the job achieved on time, on funds, and have plans that obtain common protection. If the administration cares about getting shovels within the floor, states with authorized Ultimate Proposals ought to transfer ahead, ASAP.
4. West Virginia (and shortly further states) who’ve accomplished their work, however don’t have authorized Ultimate Proposals additionally stay in limbo. They’ve a remaining proposal able to go that will get distinctive service to all West Virginia houses and companies. Just like the three states with authorized Ultimate Proposals, solely the present administration stands between them and getting shovels within the floor. If the administration cares about getting issues achieved, they need to permit any state that comes ahead with a Ultimate Proposal beneath the previous guidelines within the subsequent couple of months transfer ahead with that plan.
5. No determination has been made about how a lot of the prevailing progress the 30 states who’re already performing subgrantee choice ought to be allowed to maintain. The administration merely can not say whether or not the time, taxpayer funds, and personal capital that have been spent on these processes might be wasted and the way a lot states must re-do.
6. The wi-fi trade might be, successfully, shut out of the BEAD program. There might be few, if any, areas which can be above any new value restrict that can be capable to be extra cheaply served by mounted wi-fi than low earth satellites.