Fiber Broadband Association encourages NTIA to modernize and streamline permitting processes – February 20, 2026

“Providers across the country consistently cite permitting as one of the most significant barriers to timely deployment,” said Pietrzak. “We encourage NTIA to direct states and territories to use non-deployment funds to modernize and streamline permitting processes at both the state and local level. That includes investing in additional human capital to process applications, digitizing paper-based records, developing public-facing permitting dashboards to improve transparency, and exploring innovative AI tools to assist with application review.”

– Lukas Pietrzak, Public Policy Director for the Fiber Broadband Association

• Streamlining local, state, and federal permitting to expedite deployments
• Investing in workforce development programs to deploy and operate these new BEAD funded networks
• Conducting a “Cleanup Round” to bring reliable, high-speed internet to remaining underserved and unserved homes
• Other uses outlined in the SUCCESS for BEAD Act introduced in 2025