- Trump’s team proposes scrapping BEAD diversity and equity rules, slashing permitting requirements, and simplifying fibre project approvals.
- The shift marks a sharp political and policy break from the Biden administration’s broadband strategy.
What happened: The Trump campaign outlines major changes to the US broadband infrastructure plan, aiming to remove diversity rules and reduce regulation
Former US President Donald Trump’s campaign has announced plans to overhaul the Biden administration’s broadband strategy, particularly the $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) programme. The proposed changes include dropping diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) requirements, reducing federal permitting delays, and making funding applications less restrictive.
A campaign memo, reported by Politico, details how Trump’s advisers aim to prioritise rapid fibre deployment, particularly in rural regions, by cutting red tape. The plan would also remove constraints that currently prioritise certain demographic groups or community-based hiring, viewing these as barriers to efficiency.
The Trump team also wants to allow states more discretion over how BEAD funds are spent, shifting focus from social equity to cost and buildout speed. Trump’s digital advisor, Alex Burgos, said the new framework would encourage faster broadband rollout “without ideological mandates.”
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Why this is important
The Trump proposal signals a significant departure from the Biden administration’s policy of using federal broadband funds to address historic access gaps in underserved communities, especially minority and low-income areas. The DEI requirements in BEAD were intended to ensure that those who have historically lacked connectivity benefit most from new infrastructure.
Removing these provisions may expedite project approvals, but critics argue it risks overlooking communities most in need of access. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has defended the current rules as essential to closing the digital divide fairly.
If Trump returns to office in 2025 and implements this policy shift, it could reshape fibre broadband deployment across the US. This would not only affect funding outcomes for telecom providers and local governments, but also influence global digital equity debates. The proposals mirror wider conservative efforts to roll back DEI initiatives across sectors, including education and government procurement.
For the broadband industry, the potential removal of BEAD’s social requirements may increase competition and accelerate builds, but it could also create backlash from civil rights groups and community-led ISPs.
