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Trump Administration Denies BEAD Funds Over Net Neutrality Rules

10/31/2025

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Summary

Story summary

The U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration will not grant Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) funds to states enforcing net neutrality or price regulations.
Commerce Department official Arielle Roth stated net neutrality counts as rate regulation, violating BEAD requirements.
States must exempt ISPs to receive BEAD funds, which require a low-cost option and prohibit NTIA price regulation.
Lawsuits may take years, potentially leaving many homes without broadband access.

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Story summary

The U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration will not grant Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) funds to states enforcing net neutrality or price regulations.
Commerce Department official Arielle Roth stated net neutrality counts as rate regulation, violating BEAD requirements.
States must exempt ISPs to receive BEAD funds, which require a low-cost option and prohibit NTIA price regulation.
Lawsuits may take years, potentially leaving many homes without broadband access.