​​Electric cooperatives are stepping up to deploy rural broadband through BEAD, but recent changes have introduced uncertainty that could slow progress and cause program departures.

Clear guidance and flexibility in the use of remaining BEAD funds are essential to avoid delays and ensure cooperatives can successfully deliver broadband to their communities.​

With limited time remaining for states and subgrantees to move forward, Congress should urge NTIA to remove last-minute pole attachment requirements as a condition of participation in BEAD and preserve state flexibility for investing remaining BEAD non-deployment funds.​