Inspiredu Participates in NTIA Listening Session

In February, The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) held two virtual listening sessions on the use of the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program funds saved as a result of the Trump Administration and Secretary Lutnick's Benefit of the Bargain reforms. The purpose of these sessions was to gather input from stakeholders to inform NTIA's future planning and policy development regarding the use of these “nondeployment” funds.

Richard Hicks, CEO of Inspiredu, attended both of these virtual sessions, and he was invited to speak at the second session (on February 18, 2026) to offer his responses for the two questions for which the NTIA wished to gather input. Those questions—and the responses that Richard Hicks offered—are listed below. Inspiredu is proud to take part in the national conversation surrounding the BEAD Benefit of the Bargain savings, and we appreciate the chance to have a seat at the tables (locally, statewide, and nationally) where decisions are being made.

1.     What guidance should NTIA provide to States and Territories in the use of their BEAD Benefit of the Bargain savings?

·      NTIA should guide States and Territories to align the expenditure of BEAD Benefit of the Bargain savings with data—such as the National Skills Coalition data on Georgia’s digital divide (e.g., enduring lack of broadband access, continuing device gaps, and workforce connectivity needs)—that shows the ongoing work needed to ensure funds reach communities with the greatest barriers to participation in the digital economy. GA_DigitalDivide_FactSheet_NSC_042024.pdf

·      NTIA should encourage states to invest not just in broadband access, but also in digital skills training, especially training delivered through trusted community-based digital navigation partners. We must recognize that connectivity alone does not translate into meaningful use or outcomes. The underserved population also needs devices and training to use those devices.

·      NTIA should encourage states to support connectivity and training aligned with the growing role of AI across industries, thereby ensuring individuals have reliable broadband access along with digital and AI literacy to remain competitive as jobs increasingly rely on connected and AI-powered tools.

·      NTIA should emphasize the importance of states using savings to strengthen workforce development pipelines—linking broadband access to credentialing, job readiness, and career pathways—so BEAD investments directly contribute to economic mobility, employment outcomes, and long-term regional competitiveness.

2.     Are there potential uses of the BEAD funds that could help accelerate the implementation of the remaining BEAD funding?

·      States should increase the definition of connectivity to include LEOs (low-earth orbiting satellites) in addition to fiber broadband. In some rural areas or in areas decimated by weather disasters, LEOs can provide a cheaper, more reliable, and faster method of connectivity to the internet that the time and labor-intensive method of running fiber.

·      States could use funds to support digital navigators and community outreach that quantifies demand in unserved areas and improves community adoption readiness.  This could help remaining BEAD dollars move more quickly from award to active deployment and adoption.