BEAD Director Voices Concerns After Departure

Former BEAD Program Director Evan Feinman, who resigned on March 14, 2025, recently revealed that arbitrary decision-making left his staff "constantly concerned" about their job security despite strong performance. Speaking on the Beyond the Cable podcast with Broadband Communities, Feinman expressed worry that the new administration's approach to the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program is shifting from a state-led effort to a more "top-down, directed out of D.C." model.

Feinman disclosed that Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick's office directed him to "increase the use of satellite and decrease the use of fiber," a directive he believes contradicts the statute that created the BEAD program. In a Financial Times interview, Feinman noted the contradiction that while Elon Musk's SpaceX promotes Starlink satellite internet, "Musk, when Tesla opens up a facility, doesn't put it on Starlink, he gets fiber."

His departure came shortly after Secretary Lutnick announced a "rigorous review" of BEAD. Feinman welcomed such a review but stated, "it seems as though the outcome of any review had been determined already." He fears the program's new direction could "lock in" a digital divide.

Read more about the Broadband Communities interview and listen to the Beyond the Cable podcast, CLICK HERE.