Big changes could be coming to a massive $42 billion broadband program, and it might mean less focus on fiber internet. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), which oversees the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, is set for a leadership shakeup that could reshape how the funds are used.

Arielle Roth, telecom policy director for Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), has been nominated to lead the NTIA. Roth, whose nomination is pending Senate approval, has been critical of the current approach to the BEAD program. She argues that the Biden administration added too many extra rules, like climate change assessments and union labor requirements, which she says have driven up costs and slowed progress.

What’s at stake? The Biden-era NTIA prioritized fiber internet, arguing it’s the most reliable and future-proof technology. But Roth and Cruz have accused the agency of “technology bias,” saying other options like cable, fixed wireless, and satellite services like SpaceX’s Starlink could also help close the digital divide more quickly and cost-effectively.

Under new leadership, the program could shift away from its current focus on fiber and government-owned networks. This might mean more funding for private companies offering alternative technologies. For example, SpaceX was previously denied an $886 million grant for Starlink under the Biden administration, but that could change if the priorities shift.

The potential changes could speed up broadband deployment in underserved areas, but they’ve also sparked debate. Critics worry that moving away from fiber could mean sacrificing long-term reliability for short-term gains.

As the NTIA prepares for a new direction, one thing is clear: the fight over how to connect America is far from over.