BEAD Reset State Notice Timeline

BEAD Policy Notice Timeline, Notice Requirements

The new BEAD Policy Notice offers protection from BEAD-funded overbuilding of providers of unlicensed fixed wireless (ULFW) access and their BSL’s, which are depicted on the National Broadband Map.  To avail yourself of that protection, you must actively engage that state process – it is not automatic.

Here’s the process described in in the BEAD Policy Notice:

• Eligible Entities (states) must ensure that locations already served by an ULFW service that meet the technical specifications of Appendix A of the Policy Notice are not included in awards for BEAD deployment projects.
• Eligible Entities must review the FCC’s National Broadband Map to determine whether such an ULFW provider (technology code 70) currently offers service to any BEAD-eligible BSLs in its jurisdiction.
• If so, the Eligible Entity must notify the ULFW provider (which may be made via “public posting”) that it has 7 calendar days (or perhaps longer) to respond that the ULFW provider intends to submit evidence that BEAD funding is not required for the locations it serves.
• Upon receiving the response, the Eligible Entity shall allow the provider at least 7 calendar days to submit documentation supporting the claim that the existing ULFW services meet the same technical and service standards required for a ULFW application for a BEAD subgrant noted in Appendix A, and the provider is reasonably capable of delivering the service for at least four years after the date of Final Proposal submission.
• If a ULFW service provider demonstrates that it meets the requirements specified by the Policy Notice, the served locations will be ineligible for BEAD Program funding.
• If the provider does not respond or fails to meet the requirements specified by the Policy Notice, the locations in question will remain BEAD eligible.

TIMELINE SUMMARY: 

• ULFW providers have 7 calendar days to respond to initial state notice.
• ULFW providers have an additional (at least) 7 calendar days from their initial response to offer evidence of BEAD BSL ineligibility.

IMPORTANT: If you want to protect your network from BEAD-funded overbuilding, don’t wait for the state’s “public posting.”  Reach out today to your state broadband office and initiate the conversation.  Officials there will apprise you of the steps they are taking to comply with the new BEAD Policy Notice.  Stay on top of any notices they provide and strictly meet all deadlines.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact WISPA’s VP of Policy, Louis Peraertz:  lperaertz@wispa.org; or WISPA’s Director of State Advocacy, Steven Schwerbel: sschwerbel@wispa.org.