States May Cut 33.77% of BEAD Satellite Awards After FCC Data Update
Updated
Updated · StateScoop · Jul 23
States May Cut 33.77% of BEAD Satellite Awards After FCC Data Update
1 articles · Updated · StateScoop · Jul 23
Summary
An independent review found 47 states that proposed BEAD-funded satellite projects may need to trim those awards by an average 33.77% after NTIA ordered eligibility checks.
FCC broadband map and location-fabric updates added more served sites, meaning some proposed satellite locations are now ineligible because they are already covered or are non-residential structures.
Mississippi showed the steepest estimated reduction at 75.4%, while Rhode Island was least affected at 0.9%; Colorado said it expects to remove funding from about 33% of awarded satellite locations.
South Carolina had already cut prospective BEAD awards by half using other funding sources, and Tennessee, Louisiana and Texas said they are reviewing locations flagged by NTIA.
The revisions hit as the $42.45 billion BEAD program enters its final award phase, underscoring warnings that eligible locations will keep shrinking as private and grant-funded broadband buildouts continue.