Feds throw Washingtons 1.2B broadband program into disarray

The Trump administration's overhaul of broadband funding guidelines has disrupted Washington state's $1. 2 billion broadband initiative aimed at improving high-speed internet access. The new "technology neutral" stance may favor technologies like satellite services, particularly Elon Musk's Starlink, raising concerns among local applicants focused on fiber-optic solutions. State Rep. Cindy Ryu voiced discontent over the abrupt changes, noting the potential invalidation of hundreds of applications.

Washington's broadband office, which received numerous applications and provisionally awarded funds, now faces a tight timeline to adapt. Local officials expect to open a new round of applications in early July, while states must submit spending plans to the federal government by early September. The revised guidelines from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration aim to promote competition and streamline the process, eliminating previous mandates related to climate resilience and labor requirements. The initiative, part of the federal infrastructure law signed in 2021 by President Biden, seeks to expand internet access in underserved areas. This situation highlights the ongoing tension between state plans and federal regulations affecting broadband deployment.