Approval for California’s initial BEAD proposal sets the stage for Broadband Communities Summit West
Editor's note: This press release was written and published by Total Telecom and is being shared as a guest piece here.
SAN DIEGO, Calif., Oct. 7, 2024 — Updates from federal, state, and county officials at Broadband Communities Summit West, planned for Oct. 30-31 at the San Diego Convention Center, have taken on an increased significance following the approval of California’s initial proposal for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program.
Broadband Communities Summit West, the newest addition to Total Telecom’s events portfolio, will now be occurring as state leaders shift their focus to implementation of the BEAD program.
The approval of California’s initial BEAD proposal, announced by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Oct. 4, paves the way for California officials to begin requesting access to some of the more than $1.8 billion designated for the state under the BEAD program.
“The NTIA’s recent approval of California’s initial BEAD proposal will only add to the significance of Broadband Communities Summit West,” said Bradford Randall, Chair of Broadband Communities Summit West. “This is a pivotal time for efforts to bridge the digital divide in California. Appearances from figures like Marina MacLatchie, a federal BEAD program officer with the NTIA, Robert Osborn, the director of the communications division at the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), and Deputy Director Mark Monroe, California Middle Mile Initiative, California Department of Technology, will have added weight as service providers, property developers, equipment manufacturers, investors, manufacturers, and consultants anticipate the state’s crucial next steps.”
Administering the BEAD program in California are the CPUC, and the California Department of Technology, which has been designated as the administering agent for the state’s digital equity program. Both will have representatives at Broadband Communities Summit West.
In addition to an update from public officials, the summit will also feature updates from service providers in California and the Western U.S. states, with expert panels discussing topics like connectivity in multifamily dwelling units (MDUs), public-private partnerships, and disaster planning.
“It was apparent to all of us at Broadband Communities that the western states merited their own platform to focus on the needs of the regions communities,” said Total Telecom Managing Director Rob Chambers. “We are hugely grateful to the speakers, sponsors and partners that have helped make this inaugural event a reality.”
“We have been delighted by the positive response that has greeted the launch of Broadband Communities Summit West and look forward to establishing what will without doubt become a key event for the region,” Chambers said.
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About Broadband Communities Summit West
Broadband Communities Summit West is the newest addition to the Broadband Communities event portfolio, part of Total Telecom. The conference series offers leading events for community leaders, property owners, network infrastructure builders and telco service providers to meet and discuss strategies for delivering connectivity for communities all over the United States. Click here to get tickets and learn more about Broadband Communities Summit West.