November 15, 2024
The West Virginia Office of Broadband has released the “West Virginia BEAD Program Alternative Technologies Guidance” to assist providers utilizing alternative broadband technologies in meeting the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program’s requirements. This guidance addresses scenarios where traditional reliable broadband services are not proposed or are deemed cost-prohibitive.
Context
On August 26, 2024, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) published a draft of the Proposed BEAD Alternative Broadband Technology Guidance, seeking public comment. This draft offers eligible entities additional direction on employing alternative technologies to serve unserved and underserved areas. The final guidance from NTIA is pending and is not expected before West Virginia concludes its BEAD competitive subgrantee selection process. Consequently, the state has issued its own guidance to ensure compliance with notification requirements, particularly concerning Case 2 scenarios.
Defining Alternative Technologies
The NTIA’s draft describes “Alternative Technologies” as broadband access solutions that, while not classified as Reliable Broadband Service, meet the BEAD program’s minimum technical standards: download speeds of at least 100 Mbps, upload speeds of 20 Mbps, and latency of 100 milliseconds or less. Examples include unlicensed wireless and low earth orbit satellite services. The West Virginia Office of Broadband encourages stakeholders to review the NTIA’s draft guidance for comprehensive understanding.
Guidance Overview
The state’s guidance outlines procedures for evaluating unserved or underserved locations lacking viable proposals for Reliable Broadband service or where proposed solutions exceed the Extremely High Cost Per Location Threshold. The evaluation process involves three cases:
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Case 1: Identifying Alternative Technology providers with enforceable commitments to deliver broadband services that meet BEAD performance standards.
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Case 2: Determining if Alternative Technology providers currently offer services that satisfy BEAD performance criteria in the specified locations.
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Case 3: Assessing whether Alternative Technology providers, not presently meeting BEAD standards, can achieve compliance with the aid of BEAD funding.
Action Required for Providers
Alternative Technology providers aiming to participate must submit documentation corresponding to the applicable case. For Case 2, providers have eight days from the guidance’s publication to express interest and an additional 30 days to furnish necessary evidence demonstrating compliance with BEAD performance requirements. The Office will also proactively contact known providers to facilitate this process.
Implications
This guidance ensures that all unserved and underserved locations in West Virginia have access to broadband services that meet BEAD standards, even when traditional Reliable Broadband solutions are unavailable or financially unfeasible. By incorporating Alternative Technologies, the state aims to bridge the digital divide and enhance connectivity for its residents.
Further Information
The complete guidance document is accessible on the West Virginia Office of Broadband’s website. Stakeholders are encouraged to review it to fully understand the requirements and timelines.
