Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) funding is a federal program aimed at closing the digital divide by ensuring that every American has access to affordable and reliable high-speed internet. The program provides funding to states, localities, and tribal entities to deploy broadband infrastructure in areas where it is needed the most.
Network performance requirements are an important part of the BEAD funding program. These requirements ensure that the networks that are deployed meet certain standards and provide high-quality services to users. Here are some of the key requirements that must be met to receive BEAD funding:
- Minimum Speeds: To receive BEAD funding, networks must provide a minimum speed of 25 Mbps for downloads and 3 Mbps for uploads. These speeds are considered the minimum necessary for basic internet activities like email, web browsing, and video streaming.
- Latency: The latency of a network refers to the delay between when data is sent and when it is received. To ensure high-quality service, BEAD funding requires that networks have a latency of less than 100 milliseconds.
- Reliability: A reliable network is one that is available for use when it is needed. BEAD funding requires that networks have a 99.9% uptime rate, which means that they are available for use 99.9% of the time.
- Coverage: BEAD funding requires that networks cover a certain area or population. For example, a network may be required to cover all households in a particular county or provide service to a specific number of residents in a rural area.
- Affordability: BEAD funding also requires that networks provide affordable service to users. This means that the cost of the service should be reasonable and not prohibitively expensive for low-income households.
The BEAD funding program and its network performance requirements are critical for bridging the digital divide and ensuring that all Americans have access to high-quality internet service. By providing funding for broadband infrastructure in underserved areas and requiring that networks meet certain standards, the program helps to create a more equitable and connected society.