• February 22, 2023

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The journey to broadband access expansion is one that is met with its fair share of challenges and hurdles involved in connecting every U.S. citizen with broadband internet service. These obstacles can be categorized into four main challenge areas: (1) understanding program requirements to get the necessary funding, (2) supply chain issues, (3) workforce, and (4) scaling.

Challenge 1: Understanding Program Requirements to Get the Necessary Funding

When looking to receive taxpayer dollars for necessary funding, you must prove these taxpayer dollars are necessary and, if received, they will be put to the most efficient use. However, the $42 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program has even more requirements than previous, smaller scale programs, including cyber and supply chain security requirements that tie into executive orders or work by the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

“Nobody wants to waste $42 billion,” says Dave Stehlin, CEO of the Telecommunications Industry Association. “With rising inflation, the longer we wait to make this happen, the less value that $42 billion has.”

Challenge 2: Supply Chain Issues

Looking into what is needed beyond funding, there is a lack of U.S.-based semiconductor components and manufacturing capability and capacity. While an announcement has already been made to expand existing facilities and build new plants to manufacture these semiconductor components, this can take years to be up and running.

Challenge 3: Workforce

Once you overcome the first two challenges, if you don’t have enough skilled professionals to physically deploy broadband internet service, then networks still won’t be deployed fast enough. These professionals include installers, tower climbers, and fiber technicians. This challenge is affected by the outcome of the first challenge, because the larger the broadband investment is, the more workers you need.

Challenge 4: Scaling

The scale of deployment is significant because there is expected to be more fiber deployed in the next five years than ever before. Scaling a network means adding onto the access network and considering many other systems, including network security and basic networking. Scaling can also be particularly challenging for the small broadband providers who serve rural and remote communities that could ultimately mean tripling their user base.

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Sources:

rcrwireless.com/20230221/network-infrastructure/four-challenges-facing-broadband-expansion