In this episode of the Closing the Digital Divide podcast, we sit down with Scott D. Woods, Esq., President of Public-Private Partnerships at Ready.net, to discuss the current status of the BEAD program across the states following the NTIA’s latest guidance. Scott offers expert insight into how states are adjusting their plans, the implications of technology-neutral funding, the evolving role of the Independent Certifier, and the critical workforce and partnership challenges that lie ahead. It’s a timely and essential conversation for anyone tracking the future of broadband deployment in America.

• (00:00:00) - Closing the Digital Divide
• (00:00:57) - Closing the Digital Divide with Scott Woods
• (00:02:07) - President of Public Private Partnerships and Ready for Broadband
• (00:04:39) - The Current Status of BEAD in the United States
• (00:05:05) - NTIA New B Guidance
• (00:07:26) - WSJD Broadband Implementation Update
• (00:14:02) - NTIA: Challenges facing states to meet new guidance
• (00:17:58) - WSJD Live: BEID Restructure Guidance
• (00:21:19) - NTIA's broadband restructure guidance
• (00:25:13) - Will the rush to compliance affect the workforce?
• (00:28:43) - Independent Certification of Networks
• (00:34:00) - WSJD Live: Ready for Broadband Deployment