Nevada will receive $170 million in federal funding too expand reliable internet access to an estimated 28,000 rural residents, a move hailed as “transformative” by state officials.
Funding Follows Shifting Federal Priorities
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the approval comes after a reversal in the national Broadband, equity, Access and Deployment program’s approach to technology.
- Nevada’s broadband plan received federal approval and $170 million in funding.
- The plan initially focused on fiber optic internet but now includes a significant satellite component.
- A shift toward “technological neutrality” under the previous administration altered the state’s original proposal.
- Congress is considering ways to utilize unspent BEAD funds for broader telecom infrastructure improvements.
The funding breakthrough followed a change in direction from the Trump administration, which had previously rescinded approval of Nevada’s fiber optic-based internet expansion plan in June 2025, along with similar plans in two othre states. The previous administration deemed Nevada’s original $416 million plan unfavorable.
“Today we proudly announce a new direction for the BEAD program that will deliver high-speed internet access efficiently on a technology-neutral basis, and at the right price,” U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick said in a June press release. lutnick later added, “The American people will get the benefit of the bargain, with connectivity delivered around the country at a fraction of the cost of the original program.”
Fiber vs. Satellite: A Debate Over Future-Proofing
brent Legg,executive vice president of government affairs for Connected Nation,expressed disagreement with the emphasis on technological neutrality. “We’re concerned that prioritizing the lowest cost now will lead to infrastructure that’s not future-proof,” Legg said.
The federal government has saved over $20 billion on the $42.5 billion BEAD program through this approach.In Nevada, $170 million has been approved, significantly less than the initial $416 million request. Legg anticipates this figure may decrease further as the National Telecommunications and Information Administration scrutinizes individual projects for potential savings.
Companies Benefit from Satellite Expansion
Amazon’s Kuiper and SpaceX’s Starlink are among the companies benefiting from the increased emphasis on satellite internet, receiving $3.3 million and $2.4 million in Nevada, respectively. SkyFiber, a Reno-based fiber optic provider, secured the largest Nevada contract at $57.5 million.
Congress Considers Unspent Funds
With more than half of the BEAD funds possibly going unspent, Congress is exploring alternative uses for the money. The SUCCESS for BEAD act (HR 6920) proposes expanding eligible uses to include other broadband-related infrastructure, such as roadways and workforce development programs. “Basically other forms of internet infrastructure that’s not last mile, that’s not to individual homes and businesses, but other elements of the telecom ecosystem that need to be enhanced,” Legg explained.
Despite the relatively small percentage of nevada residents (6%) living in rural areas, Legg argued that access to broadband should be considered a right, especially as AI and the internet become increasingly integral to daily life. “You definitely want people who live in rural areas to have the same access to health care, the same access to emergency communications, the same access to education,” he said, “because people who live in rural areas deserve that kind of experience too.”
