State broadband offices (SBOs) are key enablers of the $42.45 million Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program and other programs. The SBOs must retain their authority and capacity as the projects roll out, according to a new report from The Pew Charitable Trusts.
The best way forward for state broadband offices is based on conditions in individual states. The report said that some states must think about eliminating SBO sunset dates to ensure that they don’t shut down before the work is done.
Other states should consider authorizing state broadband offices to actively take part in projects. The report offered Maine as an example. The president of the SBO there testified that the office needs the ability to collect ISP data to ensure that the needs of infrastructure mapping, understanding pricing, and tracking market-specific financial are met.
State broadband offices’ responsibilities go beyond BEAD. These offices also have been established and expanded due to the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and other federal programs established in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The report says that SBOs serve five main functions:
- Serve as the centralized entity responsible for setting broadband goals and leading statewide planning.
- Design, administer, and oversee broadband programs, including competitive grants for state and some federal programs, such as BEAD.
- Collect, manage, and analyze broadband data and mapping to inform policy and investment decisions.
- Coordinate across state agencies and with federal, Tribal, local, and private partners to align broadband activities.
- Provide technical assistance and capacity-building support to communities, ISPs, and other stakeholders.
The Pew Charitable Trusts has found that states that have invested in their broadband offices are better equipped to develop connectivity solutions to meet the specific needs of their communities and its providers. Other research has shown that these states also tend to have more fiber networks in rural areas and higher rates of private sector competition.
BEAD seems to be gathering momentum. Last month the National Telecommunication and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Nebraska Governor’s Office announced the first state’s first household has been connected to broadband. The progress does not mean, however, that no obstacles and challenges exist.
