Blair Levin Discusses BEAD Program and Future of US Connectivity Amid AI Advancements
Blair Levin, a former FCC official and current policy advisor at New Street Research, has shared insights on the federal government's $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program and the future of US communications networks. Levin highlighted the impact of the Trump administration's 2025 revisions to the BEAD program, which delayed its implementation by over a year, benefiting Elon Musk's Starlink by reducing competition. The program's shift from a fiber-first approach to a tech-neutral basis has led to $21 billion being allocated to broadband deployment projects, with the remaining funds' usage still unclear. Levin also addressed the 30th anniversary of the 1996 Telecommunications Act, emphasizing the need for the FCC and Congress to adapt policies to support AI and broadband affordability. He expressed skepticism about current networks' readiness for AI and urged the FCC to seek input on necessary changes. 
