In case you missed it, during a June 30 U.S. House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology hearing on the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), Representative Morgan Griffith (R-VA-09) underscored the importance of the BEAD Program for providing funding and access to low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite-based technology.

“In a mountainous region of Virginia …  you can’t run fiber to every nook and cranny, every holler out there, and we’re going to need low Earth orbit.” — Representative Morgan Griffith

In addition to the ability of LEO satellite technology to connect hard-to-reach areas, it also provides resiliency and redundancy. Representative Griffith talked about the damage Hurricane Helene caused to a rural Virginia county in his district. The natural disaster destroyed roads and damaged infrastructure, disrupting terrestrial fiber and the connectivity it provided. Space-based LEO satellites provide an alternative.

“I think it’s very prudent, and I think you might agree, to have redundant technologies in regions for critical broadband customers like hospitals and schools. You probably want to have more than just one,” said Representative Griffith. “Don’t you think that allowing BEAD to be used with low Earth orbit satellites will help our hospitals and our schools to stay online in times of natural disaster?”

NTIA Administrator Arielle Roth also acknowledged the important role LEO satellite technology plays in enhancing connectivity and expanding broadband technology beyond a one-size-fits-all solution:

“We’ve seen incredible increases in throughput and latency, new generations of satellites coming online, new launches, and I think it’s just not correct or a reflection of reality to consider a single technology inferior. It’s at odds with America’s historical approach to facilities-based innovation and competition that has made America’s broadband the best in the world.”

Watch the exchange between Administrator Roth and Representative Griffith here.

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