What the Next 90 Days Mean for Funding, Readiness, and Cybersecurity
A Milestone for Broadband Expansion
The awarding of BEAD (Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment) funds marks a pivotal moment in U.S. broadband history. The opportunity is significant—but so are the responsibilities in the months that follow. The next 90 days will be a defining period for Eligible Entities, shaping how efficiently funds are accessed and how quickly projects move to the shovel-ready stage.
At the same time, October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, reminding us that it’s not enough to simply build broadband networks—they must also be secure and resilient from the start. In this blog, we’ll break down what the first 90 days look like from both a funding perspective and an operational readiness perspective, and highlight how CHR can help providers navigate this critical window with confidence.
The Next 90 Days: Funding Perspective
Days 1–30: Application Review and Fixes
- NTIA may request clarifications or corrections on Final Proposals.
- Federal Program Officers (FPOs) will outline the issue, required steps, and deadlines.
- Timely response is critical to avoid slowing down the review process.
Days 31–60: Award Approval
- NTIA Approval – Final Proposals receive sign-off.
- NIST Review – NIST provides the official clearance.
- Official Notification – The Assistant Secretary issues approval.
- Funds Access – Program funds become available for implementation.
Days 61–90: Preparing for Award & Monitoring
- NTIA releases guidance for Semi-Annual Reports (SARs).
- Reporting will span award, subgrantee, project, contract, and location levels.
- Early alignment ensures smoother compliance and faster program progress.
Key takeaway: Staying ahead of reporting requirements is essential for keeping funds moving without delay.
The Next 90 Days: Operational Readiness
Days 1–30
- Kick off engineering and design work.
- Conduct a NIST Cybersecurity Framework gap analysis.
- Begin workforce planning (linemen, splicers, cybersecurity staff) and early partner outreach.
Days 31–60
- Refine network modeling with resiliency considerations.
- Draft a cybersecurity framework and incident response plan.
- Finalize vendor and partner agreements.
Days 61–90
- Deliver shovel-ready engineering packages for priority builds.
- Complete internal cybersecurity policies and assign responsible officers.
- Secure agreements with contractors and labor sources.
- Confirm match funding sources and cost estimates.
Key takeaway: The faster entities mobilize engineering, workforce, and cybersecurity efforts, the quicker projects move to build-ready status.
Why Cybersecurity Matters from Day One
Cybersecurity Awareness Month is a timely reminder: broadband networks are critical infrastructure. Aligning with the NIST Cybersecurity Framework during the first 90 days ensures networks are not only deployed quickly but are also resilient against cyber threats. Building in cybersecurity at the planning stage reduces risks and avoids costly retrofits later.
Partner with CHR for Success
The next 90 days will define the success of BEAD-funded projects. By partnering with CHR, Eligible Entities gain expertise across engineering, software, workforce planning, and cybersecurity—ensuring projects are compliant, shovel-ready, and cyber-secure. Contact us today to navigate the first 90 days with confidence and deliver broadband that lasts.
