The federal government has committed $42.45 billion to broadband expansion through the BEAD program. Yet many projects are still not breaking ground.
The issue is compliance.
For BEAD projects in 2026, the critical path for broadband deployment runs through environmental compliance, permitting, and agency coordination. These factors are now shaping timelines, costs, and project viability in ways many teams underestimated.
We spoke with Will Gilbert, Broadband Infrastructure and Environmental Compliance Specialist at EBI Consulting, about what is slowing projects down, where teams are getting caught off guard, and how to keep deployments moving.
How has broadband infrastructure demand evolved?
Will: Broadband is now treated as essential infrastructure, similar to energy and transportation. Demand continues to grow, but the drivers have shifted.
AI workloads, cloud computing, and connected devices are increasing both the volume of traffic and expectations for performance. That trend is not slowing down.
Federal investment has accelerated deployment, particularly through the BEAD program.
A year ago, most conversations were about securing funding. Today, the focus is more practical: how to deliver projects without running into delays tied to compliance or permitting.
For teams working through that shift, EBI’s Broadband Resource Hub and BEAD Funding and NEPA Compliance Guide provide a useful starting point.
What challenges are providers running into?
Will: There is still a perception that engineering drives delays. In reality, that is rarely the case.
Permitting and environmental compliance are now the primary bottlenecks in broadband deployment.
Projects are under pressure to move quickly, but federally funded programs also come with strict requirements. That includes environmental review, historic preservation, and coordination with agencies and Tribal stakeholders.
Where teams get into trouble is timing. When compliance is treated as something to address after design is complete, options become limited. Changes are harder to make, and schedules become harder to manage.
The projects that move forward more predictably take a different approach. They account for compliance early, before routes are finalized.
What broadband technologies are shaping deployment decisions?
Will: Fiber remains the long-term standard because of its scalability and performance. But it is not always the most practical option in every environment.
What is becoming clearer is that technology decisions are shaped not only by performance, but also by environmental constraints and permitting complexity.
For example:
- Fixed wireless can reduce ground disturbance in sensitive areas
- Satellite solutions can reach locations where traditional infrastructure is difficult or time-consuming to permit
Successful deployment strategies are flexible. They balance performance, coverage, and speed with real-world constraints.
What environmental factors most often impact timelines?
Will: Federally funded projects typically require compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
NEPA compliance is the federal process used to evaluate environmental and cultural resource impacts before a project can move forward.
Common constraints include:
- Wetlands and water resources
- Endangered species and protected habitats
- Historic and cultural resources
- Tribal consultation requirements
- Floodplains
- Protected lands
These are not unusual issues. The difference comes down to when they are identified.
Constraints do not delay projects. Late identification of constraints delays projects.
When issues are discovered late, teams often need to adjust routes, conduct additional studies, and wait for approvals. When they are identified early, teams have more flexibility to plan around them.
For a deeper breakdown, EBI’s Broadband Resource Hub explains how these reviews fit into broadband deployment.
What causes most permitting delays?
Will: In most cases, delays are predictable.
We see the same patterns across projects:
- Environmentalconstraints identified after design is finalized
- Incomplete or inconsistent documentation
- Permitting timelines that were underestimated
- Unanticipated agency or Tribal coordination
- Historic preservation concerns
Most broadband delays are preventable. They are the result of issues being identified too late in the process.
Permitting works best when it is part of planning from the beginning, not something added later.
How does EBI support broadband projects?
Will: Our role is to help clients identify risks early and navigate the process more efficiently.
We support projects with:
- NEPA reviews and documentation
- NHPA and cultural resource assessments
- Environmental permitting strategy
- GIS mapping and constraints analysis
- Agency and Tribal coordination
The goal is straightforward. Identify potential issues early, so they do not impact project timelines later.
Can you share an example?
Will: Since 2023, EBI has supported more than 20,000 route miles of broadband projects across 24 states.
In one NTIA-funded fixed wireless deployment, the client needed environmental approvals across multiple states on a tight schedule.
We supported environmental review, routing analysis, and regulatory coordination.
All projects received first-pass approval, avoiding delays that often add months to similar multi-state programs.
You can explore similar work in EBI’s NTIA-Funded Fixed Wireless Case Study.
What should providers do before construction begins?
Will: Start earlier than you think necessary.
Before final engineering, teams should:
- Screen for environmental constraints
- Identify wetlands and protected resources
- Evaluate historic preservation requirements
- Assess Tribal coordination needs
- Build realistic permitting timelines into schedules
- Engage agencies when appropriate
Once routes are finalized, flexibility becomes limited. Early planning gives teams more options and better control over outcomes.
What trends will shape broadband over the next decade?
Will: We are still early in a large national buildout.
Over the next decade, we will continue to see:
- Expansion of fttp and middle-mile infrastructure
- Increased demand driven by AI and cloud computing
- Greater focus on network resiliency
- Continued investment in rural and underserved areas
- Increased use of GIS and digital planning tools
- Greater attention to compliance and accountability
As deployment accelerates, execution will become a defining factor.
Organizations that can consistently navigate permitting and compliance will be better positioned to meet both funding requirements and construction timelines.
Final Thoughts
What is your top piece of advice?
Will: Treat environmental compliance and permitting as integral part of project strategy, not as a final step or afterthought.
Most issues are not surprises. They are known risks that were ignored or identified too late.
When teams understand conditions early, they can make better decisions, avoid delays, and keep projects moving.
Additional Resources
- Broadband Resource Hub
- BEAD Funding and NEPA Compliance Guide
- NEPA and Section 106 Guide
- Telecommunications Services
For federal guidance:
About the Author
Will Gilbert is a Broadband Infrastructure and Environmental Compliance Specialist at EBI Consulting. He supports broadband providers, engineering firms, utilities, and public-sector organizations with environmental compliance, permitting strategy, GIS analysis, and regulatory consulting for telecommunications infrastructure projects nationwide.