October 24, 2024
ARLINGTON, VA – The Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA) has announced that it will host a two-day conference, BEAD 2.0 Maximizing Connectivity with Non-Deployment Dollars, in Myrtle Beach, SC on Oct 29-30, 2024.
Federal and state officials from Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Massachusetts, and Vermont and leaders in the broadband industry will join for a focused discussion on ensuring the success of the US Department of Commerce’s $42 billion Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program.
The BEAD program funds projects that help expand high-speed Internet access and use, with a focus on unserved or underserved locations. Several states across the country expect to have remaining federal dollars after initially deploying broadband to these areas.
“We’re only now scratching the surface of what BEAD means as a connectivity program,” said Patrick Halley, President and CEO, WIA. “We can’t take our eye off the ball when it comes to thinking creatively about the use of remaining BEAD dollars after every home is connected, from enhanced mobility to workforce development to digital equity. Forward-leaning states are realizing that mobile connectivity is an important, and allowable, objective for BEAD. This event will explore many new concepts for how states can expand the reach and impact of broadband connectivity.”
Attendees will hear from a panel of and engage in interactive small group roundtables with State Broadband Leaders. Topics of the event will center around digital equity; rural broadband deployment; transforming education, healthcare, and agriculture with broadband; workforce development through broadband sector partnerships; sustainable financing for broadband projects; and mobility for a connected future.
Participants includes:
State Broadband Leaders
- Michael Baldino, Director and General Counsel, Massachusetts Broadband Institute
- Christine Hallquist, Executive Director, Vermont Community Broadband Board
- Glen Howie, Director, Arkansas State Broadband Office
- Connor Perry, Manager, BEAD Non-Deployment Funds, Delaware Broadband Office
- Jessica Simmons, Deputy CIO & Executive Director, Georgia Broadband Program
- Jim Stritzinger, Director, South Carolina Broadband Office
- Michelle M. Cabiya Zorrilla, Executive Director, Puerto Rico Broadband Program
National
- Evan Feinman, Director, Broadband Equity, Access, & Deployment, US Department of Commerce, NTIA
- Patrick Halley, President and CEO, Wireless Infrastructure Association
- Christopher Debosier, Vice President, Federal Government Affairs, Verizon
- Will Adams, Vice President, Strategic Policy and Planning, T Mobile
- Bryan Darr, Vice President of Government Affairs, Ookla
For a full list of speakers and to register visit https://bead.wia.org/
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Media Contact: April.Ward@wia.org
The Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA) represents the businesses that build, develop, own, and operate the nation’s wireless infrastructure. WIA advocates for the widespread, responsible deployment of wireless infrastructure to enable connectivity everywhere.
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