# States Strengthen Broadband Grant Standards

The Pew Charitable Trusts recommends that states set minimum broadband speed standards and establish statutory scalability requirements so publicly funded networks can keep pace with future needs. The analysis points to the $42.45 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program and earlier federal broadband funding programs as context for how grant design and performance standards affect network durability. No open solicitation or procurement contact is identified.

- State grant applicants may need to demonstrate durable network performance, capacity for upgrades, and accountability; contractors should reflect these factors in proposal designs where state program requirements call for them.
- The article reports defaults under the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund affecting commitments to serve 1.9 million of 5.2 million locations, underscoring the procurement value of assessing provider capability and delivery risk.
- States can use speed and scalability standards to shape publicly funded broadband investments; the analysis does not identify a specific upcoming deadline or mandatory standard applicable to all state programs.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Information Technology, Construction & Infrastructure
**Topics:** Digital Infrastructure, Grants & Funding
**Published:** October 14, 2026

### Government Entities
- State governments
- Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
- U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury)
- U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

### Sources
- [Broadband Policy Cornerstones: Speed and Scalability  | The Pew Charitable Trusts](https://www.pew.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/2026/10/14/broadband-policy-cornerstones-speed-and-scalability) - The Pew Charitable Trusts