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Highlights | Meet NTIA's OICG Regional Directors | Programmatic Updates | Upcoming Events
Highlights
Assistant Secretary Roth Keynote Speaker at BEAD Implementation Summit
On March 18th, Assistant Secretary Arielle Roth participated in a fireside chat at the Broadband Breakfast’s BEAD Implementation Summit in Washington, D.C. She highlighted the success of the Benefit of the Bargain round resulting in $21 billion in savings, feedback gathered during NTIA’s recent public listening sessions, and shared that NTIA’s permitting reforms will allow for quicker construction in many locations across the country.
Assistant Secretary Roth sits down for a fireside chat with Broadband Breakfast CEO Drew Clark at the BEAD Implementation Summit.
NTIA Announces Approval of 53 BEAD Final Proposals
NTIA has approved 53 Eligible Entities’ Final Proposals to deliver universal broadband access through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. Thanks to the Trump Administration’s Benefit of the Bargain reforms, these states saw a surge in participation, competition, and private sector matching contributions—driving down costs, increasing skin in the game, and advancing innovative solutions for consumers. This progress can be viewed via the BEAD Progress Dashboard which includes two new columns regarding states and territories’ individual progress:
- Final Proposal Approval by NIST, which indicates NIST’s approval making the grant funds available (50 states and territories have received NIST approval); and
- Award Agreement Signed by State, which indicates that states/territories have signed and returned their award agreement, finalizing the process (38 states and territories have signed and returned their award agreement.)
Meet NTIA's Office of Internet Connectivity & Growth Regional Directors
Brynn Deprey, BEAD Regional Director, West
States: California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming
Phil Lehmkuhler, BEAD Regional Director, Midwest
States: Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, West Virginia, and Wisconsin
Philip Powell, BEAD Regional Director, South
States: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas
Wendy Lader, BEAD Regional Director, Northeast
States: Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont
William Navas, BEAD Regional Director, Alaska, Territories, and Mid-Atlantic
States: Alaska, America Samoa, Arizona, District of Columbia, Georgia, Guam, Maryland, North Carolina, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virginia Islands, and Virginia
Programmatic Updates
BEAD Covered at the 2026 SBLN Winter Summit
NTIA hosted the State Broadband Leaders Network (SBLN) Winter Summit in Washington, D.C. from March 10 - 12, 2026, which brought together over 360 participants in-person and virtually, including NTIA staff, State Broadband Offices, and other federal and state speakers. Representatives from all 56 states and territories attended to discuss topics such as BEAD Subgrantee Agreements, monitoring and compliance best practices, Environmental Historic Preservation, and permitting, while sharing insights and collaborating on building and deploying broadband infrastructure and best uses for nondeployment dollars. Welcome addresses were given by Assistant Secretary and NTIA Administrator Arielle Roth, NTIA Chief of Staff Brooke Donilon, and Associate Administrator Doug Kinkoph.
Upcoming Events
April 14, 3:00 – 4:00 pm ET, From Spectrum to Service: Building with Unlicensed Fixed Wireless: NTIA is hosting this webinar which will examine unlicensed fixed wireless technology and its role within the broader broadband “toolkit.” It will define what unlicensed fixed wireless is, highlight real-world deployment examples, and explore cost considerations. The discussion will also cover situations where unlicensed fixed wireless can accelerate deployment by reducing or avoiding permitting challenges, as well as key network architecture considerations needed to deliver reliable, uninterrupted connectivity.