EC Georgia News

Congressman Rick W. Allen has reintroduced the Broadband Expansion and Deployment Fee Equity and Efficiency Act of 2025, known as the "BEAD FEE Act." The legislation aims to enhance transparency within the Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program by ensuring accountability for application fees.

Congressman Allen stated: "As Vice Chair of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee, I remain committed to closing the digital divide in our rural communities. But too often, federal broadband dollars are spent on unrelated costs rather than buildout and deployment. The BEAD FEE Act rights this wrong and will allow us to deploy broadband faster, remove regulatory burdens, and expand access to high-speed internet in rural America."

He emphasized that in today's economy, broadband connectivity is essential: "In today's modern economy, broadband connectivity is more than a luxury; it is a necessity. I am proud to lead this effort in the 119th Congress to help ensure all Americans are connected."

The bill's introduction highlights ongoing efforts to improve internet access across rural areas by addressing financial inefficiencies within existing programs.