The era of unchecked broadband bailouts may be over.

National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) head Arielle Roth has made it clear that Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) funds come with strings attached — no double-dipping allowed on the taxpayers’ dime. It’s a small step that could save taxpayers billions and prevent a repeat of past disasters.

Speaking at a telecom event at the Hudson Institute recently, Roth said that providers must certify to NTIA in writing that they will not require any other federal subsidies to complete or operate their BEAD-funded projects.

“Those unwilling to make that commitment will not get an award,” she said. “Their proposed service areas will instead go to entities that can and will deliver.”

The federal government is

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