November 2, 2023 3:00 a.m.

On Wednesday, Senator Ron Wyden praised an announcement by the National Telecommunications Information Administration to help small internet service providers invest in rural and underserved communities across Oregon.

Wyden said the move will make it easier for them to participate in the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program.

A release said Oregon will receive a record $689 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructures Law’s BEAD program to expand access to broadband internet to rural and underserved communities – the largest single broadband grant in Oregon’s history. NTIA, which is administering the BEAD program at the federal level, had previously required a large financial guarantee from broadband providers, called an irrevocable letter of credit, to participate in the BEAD program. Wyden warned the administration that its policy risked excluding many small, rural, and diverse ISPs across Oregon, as well as nonprofits and municipalities, all of whose participation in the program is vital to its success.

Wyden said, “Today’s announcement out of NTIA is great news for communities across Oregon, who will be better able to access critical federal funding to boost broadband access in rural and underserved areas of our state”. Wyden said that once again, Assistant Secretary Alan Davidson listened to Oregonians and took steps to address their needs, “…so my constituents can get a fair shake”. Wyden said he will be counting on that partnership to continue until every Oregonian has access to reliable, affordable, high-quality broadband.

The release said NTIA’s announcement will give internet service providers much more flexibility to qualify for the BEAD program, including by allowing Oregon’s credit unions to participate. It will also allow the use of performance bonds, as an alternative to the letter of credit.