WISPA Congratulates Arielle Roth on NTIA Nomination, Hopes Her Guidance Gets BEAD Back On-Track

The following statement may be attributed to David Zumwalt, President and CEO of WISPA – The Association for Broadband Without Boundaries:

Washington, DC, February 4, 2025 – WISPA congratulates Arielle Roth on her nomination as NTIA head.  Her expertise and leadership will be invaluable to the agency as it continues its critical work in bridging the digital divide.  During her tenure on Capitol Hill and at the FCC, Roth has played a leading role in helping address spectrum demand, among other matters, which is essential to the growth and innovation of the broadband marketplace.  Roth has also been a stalwart champion of the U.S. taxpayer, providing critical insight and analysis for legislators and policymakers in their oversight of such programs such as BEAD and the Universal Service Fund.

Roth’s work with Senator Ted Cruz on BEAD is especially encouraging, illuminating a path to correct that off-track program.  WISPA hopes NTIA under her guidance will bring BEAD back to the tech-neutral intent of its enabling legislation, the 2021 IIJA, and thus excise those elements which would lead to wasteful overbuilding and keep small players out of the program.  WISPA believes such modification could be simply achieved by allowing all technologies which can meet IIJA baselines fully into the program, giving states a greater chance of success in getting all connected quickly and cost-effectively.

We look forward to her confirmation and stand ready to help Ms. Roth help all Americans access the Internet so they can meaningfully participate in our economy and enjoy the fruits of our diverse society.

WISPA – Broadband Without Boundaries
WISPA’s approximately 1000 members provide fixed broadband connectivity and include equipment suppliers, support services, and other industry partners and stakeholders. Our members provide broadband access to millions of residential and business customers in rural, urban, and Tribal areas across America.

Contact
Mike Wendy
WISPA
202-763-5257
mwendy@wispa.org