White house
President has changed the rules and many are in serious risk of being excluded from advances in the digital age.
Millions of inhabitants of USA zones rural are at risk of Stay behind in the digital agefollowing changes significant in an important federal program of Long band
The Broadband Equity, Access and Implementation Program (Bead), launched in 2021 by the President Joe Biden, Its objective Bring high -speed internet to needy regions.
However, Donald Trump returned to the White House and changed the scheme: new rules introduced in June 2025 by the Trump Administration Department came to disturb these plans, raising concerns between experts and state authorities.
The new rules oblige states to restart the process of the application of internet service providers, which delayed projects that were about to start.
This setback affects regions where residents already face difficulties in access to health care and other essential services.
A joint investigation by and investigateTV identified about 3 million people living in rural areas without broadband access and appropriate medical care.
In these communities, residents tend to suffer from higher rates chronic diseases and have an average hope of shorter life.
The new guidelines of the Bead program no longer give priority to fiber optic infrastructures, paving the way for satellite operators such as Starlink and Amazon’s Kuiper to obtain federal funding.
Critics argue that satellite and wireless technologies cannot respond to future digital connectivity needs, especially for services such as telemedicine, online education and modern banking services.
“This causes monumental damage to rural America”said Christopher there, professor of telecommunications at Penn State, quotes the.
States that had already advanced significantly in the planning of fiber -based networks now face a scenario of uncertainty.
West Virginia, for example, had completed the process of selecting providers and was ready to bring fiber calls to all homes and companies. However, like many other states, it will have to review its plans in the light of the new rules.
Advocates of the changes, including the Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, say the new guidance will allow to provide internet high -speed more efficient and at a more affordable price. However, no details were disclosed about any savings.
On the other hand, broadband advocates warn that this change could lead to Higher costs For long -term consumers, since satellite services are generally more expensive to maintain and offer less consistent speeds than fiber.
This restructuring also generated confusion In state offices responsible for the broadband, with more than half of the states to record delays compared to the initially planned deadlines.
As residents of rural areas, such as Gary Vance, in Western Virginia, are still waiting for a reliable connection, the concern that these political changes grows deepen, instead of reducing, the DIGITAL ditch.
