FBA Applauds NTIA’s Use of Remaining BEAD Funds to Reach Unserved Locations
September 3, 2026 — The Fiber Broadband Association (FBA) released the following statement today after the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced that the first portion of remaining Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program funds will support a new funding round focused on locations that remain unserved:
“NTIA’s decision to prioritize a new funding round aimed at reaching locations that still lack reliable broadband service should be applauded. Ensuring that no American is left behind is one of the most important uses of remaining BEAD funds and is essential to fulfilling the program’s central promise of connecting every household in every community.
“Fiber broadband has proven to deliver tremendous economic advantages to communities, people, and local industries. With that economic impact in mind, these investments should prioritize fiber, wherever possible, along with experienced providers that have the financial strength and operational capacity to serve their full project areas successfully. Connecting the hardest-to-reach locations requires accountable partners and durable fiber infrastructure that delivers the speed, reliability, capacity, and scalability communities need to expand opportunity, attract investment, and participate fully in an AI-driven economy.
“States and territories will play the leading role in executing this effort. Having local operators they know and trust, and that are an active part of the community, will be deliver long-term benefits. The broadband offices understand their communities, the locations that remain unserved, and the practical challenges involved in reaching them. They should have the flexibility and support necessary to design effective cleanup rounds that reflect local needs and deliver successful outcomes.
“FBA looks forward to supporting state and territory broadband offices as they implement this new funding round and to working with NTIA, our members, and other partners to help connect every remaining unserved location. We also look forward to reviewing the additional components of NTIA’s approach as they are announced and ensuring every available dollar delivers meaningful and lasting connectivity.”
Read NTIA’s announcement: https://www.ntia.gov/press-release/2026/ntia-empowers-states-use-bead-savings-location-true-ensuring-universal-broadband-availability-across