Biden launches $42 billion BEAD broadband program brings internet to 8.5 million households

The Biden administration launches the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, a $42.45 billion initiative funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to bring high-speed internet access to every unserved and underserved location in America. BEAD targets the approximately 8.5 million US households and businesses with no broadband access at all, concentrated in rural areas, tribal lands, and low-income urban communities. The program includes a requirement that nearly 90% of equipment spending use US-manufactured materials, making it a notable Buy American manufacturing initiative as well. Biden also announces an Affordable Connectivity Program providing low-income households subsidies of up to $30 per month for internet service, reducing bills to zero for millions.