Series of deep-dive modules address critical elements required in upcoming BEAD proposals

The Fiber Broadband Association (FBA) and NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association today announced the complete Broadband Infrastructure Playbook 3.0 is now available. Playbook 3.0 combines four deep-dive modules that aim to help state broadband offices as they make decisions on key aspects of the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program and complete their initial proposals for NTIA review before a December 27 deadline.

Soon after the BEAD program was created, a direct result of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, FBA and NTCA developed the first Broadband Infrastructure Playbook to map out key issues that states need to address as they implement the BEAD program. Playbook 2.0 was published shortly after NTIA released its BEAD Notice of Funding Opportunity, updating recommendations based on processes and requirements set forth in that notice. The NTIA has since further defined BEAD requirements and set the course for implementation, prompting FBA and NTCA to release a series of four Playbook 3.0 modules that provide deeper detail, analysis, and advice on key topics during this critical stage of BEAD development. The full Broadband Infrastructure Playbook 3.0 combines all four modules into one complete resource for state broadband offices as they work to complete their initial proposals, and for other interested stakeholders to engage with the offices as decisions are made.

The Broadband Infrastructure Playbook 3.0 includes the following modules that offer solutions to some of the most challenging BEAD proposal requirements:

1. Permitting: Access to State and Local Rights-of-Way and Infrastructure
2. Achieving Digital Opportunity through BEAD Grants (Extremely High Cost per Location Threshold)
3. Broadband Mapping Challenge Processes
4. Cybersecurity and Supply Chain Risk Management Under the BEAD Program

“The Playbook 3.0 modules are fundamental to every state’s funding implementation plans, so we want to ensure each state broadband office is able to address these policy elements confidently and correctly,” said Gary Bolton, President and CEO of the Fiber Broadband Association. “Together with NTCA, we developed the series of Broadband Infrastructure Playbooks to provide recommendations to help realize the promise of this unprecedented investment opportunity. Our goal is to ensure that states can implement BEAD in ways that will have meaningful and lasting impacts.”

"The BEAD program presents a historic opportunity to deliver broadband to unserved and underserved areas, and it is critical that we leverage these resources to build networks that will keep pace with consumer needs for decades to come,” said NTCA CEO Shirley Bloomfield. “NTCA is proud to partner with the Fiber Broadband Association on the Broadband Infrastructure Playbook 3.0, which contains critical guidance for state broadband offices as they craft their initial proposals and look to make a lasting impact on broadband access.”

The Broadband Infrastructure Playbook 3.0 was developed in partnership with Cartesian. FBA, NTCA, and Cartesian presented highlights of the Playbook 3.0 in a webinar, “Internet for All – Getting BEAD Right, Now: An Overview of FBA and NTCA’s Playbook 3.0 on BEAD Implementation.” The webinar is available for replay here. To learn more about the Broadband Infrastructure Playbook 3.0, visit fiberbroadband.org/resources/broadband-infrastructure-playbook-3-0/.

About NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association

NTCA – The Rural Broadband Association is the premier association representing more than 850 independent, community-based telecommunications companies that are leading innovative change in smart rural communities across America. In an era of transformative technological developments, regulatory challenges and marketplace competition, NTCA members are advancing efforts to close the digital divide by delivering robust and high-quality services over future-proof networks. Their commitment to building sustainable networks makes rural communities fertile ground for innovation in economic development, e-commerce, health care, agriculture, and education, and it contributes to billons of dollars to the U.S. economy each year. Visit us at www.ntca.org.

About the Fiber Broadband Association

The Fiber Broadband Association is the largest and only trade association that represents the complete fiber ecosystem of service providers, manufacturers, industry experts, and deployment specialists dedicated to the advancement of fiber broadband deployment and the pursuit of a world where communications are limitless, advancing quality of life and digital equity anywhere and everywhere. The Fiber Broadband Association helps providers, communities, and policy makers make informed decisions about how, where, and why to build better fiber broadband networks. Since 2001, these companies, organizations, and members have worked with communities and consumers in mind to build the critical infrastructure that provides the economic and societal benefits that only fiber can deliver. The Fiber Broadband Association is part of the Fibre Council Global Alliance, which is a platform of six global FTTH Councils in North America, LATAM, Europe, MEA, APAC, and South Africa. Learn more at fiberbroadband.org.

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