Jim Matheson, NRECA CEO, emphasized the need for a 'true-up' process to ensure accuracy in location eligibility for BEAD funding, stating, 'There are significant discrepancies between the FCC's December 2023 map data, subsequent state challenges and rural networks either built since then or currently under construction. As a result, BEAD funding could be awarded to overbuild locations where reliable internet service has since been, or soon will be, deployed.' This highlights the risk of outdated data leading to inappropriate fund allocation.
In the letter to NTIA Administrator Alan Davidson, Matheson asserted, 'Locating eligibility is based on FCC's December 2023 national broadband map and subsequent state challenge processes,' warning that these processes could inadvertently cause funding to assist areas that already have reliable internet access.
Matheson suggested that executing a 'true-up' before final project approvals could help avoid misallocation of funds, remarking, 'This process would enable BEAD to bring service to more areas that truly need it and in other ways optimize funds.'
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