The BEAD Program
Empowering Communities for a Connected Future Toolkit
Program Overview
The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program is a key initiative under the bipartisan, historic Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). It represents a monumental effort to provide all Americans, particularly those in underserved and rural communities, with the access they need to reliable, high-speed broadband. This program seeks to bridge the digital divide, fostering access to educational, economic, and social opportunities for all.
The BEAD Program aims to empower individuals, families, and communities by providing the tools necessary for success in today’s connected world.
However, recent guidance from Commerce Secretary Lutnick introduces significant changes to BEAD’s implementation. States must now revise their subgrantee selection processes to align with the “benefit of the bargain” framework—prioritizing the lowest cost per location and embracing a technology-neutral approach that includes not only fiber, but also fixed wireless access (FWA) and Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite technologies.
Notably, the updated guidance eliminates BEAD’s non-deployment components, including programs authorized under the Digital Equity Act. These programs were intended to drive broadband adoption through digital literacy, workforce training, and affordability efforts—essential elements in ensuring broadband infrastructure is fully utilized by the communities it serves.
See HTTP’s response here. See also HTTP’s sign-on letter to Congress here.
Key Program Details
Funding Amount
$42.5 billion allocated to states, the District of Columbia, and territories to expand high-speed internet access.
Eligibility
Any State of the U.S., the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands can apply for funding.
Key Focus Areas
The program targets broadband infrastructure projects, digital literacy programs, and efforts to provide affordable broadband to low-income families.
-
Ensure that all Americans have access to reliable, high-speed internet by funding broadband infrastructure projects in unserved and underserved areas.
-
Address disparities in broadband access and adoption, ensuring that historically underserved communities have the necessary resources and support to participate fully in the digital economy.
-
Encourage collaboration among states, local governments, nonprofits, and other stakeholders to develop comprehensive plans for broadband deployment and adoption.
-
Leverage broadband expansion to stimulate economic development, create jobs, and improve access to education, healthcare, and other essential services.
-
Invest in broadband networks that are scalable and sustainable, meeting current and future connectivity needs.
Key Goals
The Critical Stakes for the Hispanic Community
The BEAD Program is poised to make a significant difference in Hispanic communities and all communities, addressing the digital disparities that many face. In rural and urban areas alike, many Hispanic families lack reliable internet access, creating barriers to education, healthcare, and employment. The BEAD Program aims to close these gaps by targeting the areas most in need, ensuring that underserved communities are not left behind in the digital age. By bringing broadband to these underserved regions, the BEAD Program will foster opportunities for better education, workforce development, and business growth, empowering all Americans to build a brighter future. However, HTTP underscores that infrastructure alone is not enough. To deliver on the full promise of this historic investment, broadband deployment must be paired with Congressionally approved non-deployment activities—such as digital literacy, workforce development, and affordability programs—that ensure communities can adopt, utilize, and benefit from the infrastructure once it’s built.
The Hispanic Digital Divide Crisis
Hispanic families are disproportionately affected by the digital divide, with only 65% of Hispanics having broadband access at home and over a quarter of all Hispanics only being able to access the internet by smartphone. This gap isn't just about connectivity—it's about economic survival and generational opportunity.
As HTTP argued in front of the Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), Hispanics are overrepresented in the digital divide because of (1) fear of government; (2) language barriers; and (3) accessibility and affordability of high-speed broadband internet.
-
Despite eligibility for government programs, many Hispanics live in mixed-status households where fear of deportation creates reluctance to participate, leading to distrust of government agencies. This distrust, compounded by systemic discrimination, creates barriers to reaching eligible families through digital equity programs and thus exacerbating the Hispanic digital divide. Our community members are hesitant to interact with government leaders even when programs could benefit them.
-
Communities that lack English language skills are continuously excluded by government programs.
-
The U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey has continuously found that affordability is a chief reason why Hispanic families remain disconnected. 25% of Hispanics cite affordability as a main barrier compared to 19% of the general population. After affordability, Hispanic families will still need access to the broadband infrastructure, often lacking in rural areas, in addition to affording internet ready devices.
What's at Risk
The recent guidance from Commerce Secretary Lutnick fundamentally undermines the BEAD Program's ability to serve Hispanic communities effectively. By eliminating digital literacy, workforce training, and affordability programs, the Administration is building highways without teaching people how to drive.
For Hispanic families, this means:
Language barriers will persist: Without digital literacy programs tailored to Spanish-speaking communities, new broadband infrastructure will remain inaccessible to millions of Hispanic families who need culturally competent support.
Economic opportunities will be squandered: Hispanic-owned small businesses, which represent one of the fastest-growing segments of the U.S. economy, need more than just internet access—they need digital skills training to compete in the modern marketplace.
Educational gaps will widen: Hispanic students already face achievement gaps exacerbated by digital inequity. Infrastructure without adoption support means these students will continue to fall behind their peers.
Healthcare disparities will deepen: Telehealth adoption in Hispanic communities requires trusted, culturally competent digital navigation support—exactly what the eliminated programs were designed to provide.
A Generational Impact on Hispanic Families
Hispanic families represent the youngest demographic in America. The decisions made about BEAD will determine whether an entire generation of Hispanic children can access:
Remote learning opportunities that keep them competitive in an increasingly digital world
Career pathways in technology that offer economic mobility
Entrepreneurship tools that allow them to build businesses and create wealth
Civic engagement platforms that amplify their voices in democracy
How to Get Involved
Resources
This toolkit is for affiliates, partners, communities to help close the digital divide by advocating for reinstatement of BEAD’s non-deployment funding, Digital Equity Act Programs, while allowing states to govern AI in the absence of federal legislation.