Let’s Talk BEAD: Southwest States
August 6 – 9:30 am to 10:15 am
Plaza Court 7
We’re in the heart of BEAD, its challenge processes, volume two’s being cured, and soon subgrantee selection. Mountain Connect is bringing State Broadband Offices together to discuss how each respective broadband office will work to achieve the universal access the program aims to deliver. We’ll have an interactive discussion, led by Resound’s Misti Willock to delve into the issues of the day, including issues left unanswered by the NTIA:
1) How important is network financial sustainability to state offices and therefore, how important is Operations & Maintenance (O&M) for scoring BEAD applications?
2) How wireless technologies will be used in the rollout of BEAD.
3) How ISPs will be qualified and vetted to avoid future defaults and how ISPs who do not currently provide services within a state, are vetted.
4) How will states manage the No Grace Period for incomplete grant proposals.
Speakers
Sandip Bhowmick
Arizona Commerce Authority: State Broadband Director
Greg Conte
Texas Broadband Development Office: Director
Joseph Le
Kansas: Interim Director of Broadband Development
Drew Lovelace
New Mexico: Office of Broadband Director