NTIA's Delayed Guidance on $21 Billion in BEAD Savings Leaves US States Unable to Fund Digital Skills and Affordability Work

As of September 1, 2026, US state broadband offices still cannot deploy roughly $21 billion in surplus federal Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) funds because NTIA has not issued guidance on how the 'non-infrastructure' savings — generated after June 2025 reforms dropped fiber-preference and low-income-plan requirements — may be spent. Suggested uses include digital skills training, device affordability, and AI literacy programs, per Drew Garner of the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society. Michigan chief connectivity officer Eric Frederick said the money is meant to address 'affordability, devices, digital skills, AI literacy, you name it,' but without guidance, states including Missouri (over $900 million pending) and Minnesota ($270 million pending) cannot plan budgets or hire staff. NTIA had already missed several self-imposed deadlines to release this guidance earlier in 2026.