Beyond Fiber: Why BEAD Needs a Multi-Broadband Mindset

Fixed Wireless Access isn’t the alternative — it’s the answer where fiber can’t go.

In our last post, we made the case that railroads, rivers, and rights of way shouldn’t stand in the way of broadband access. And yet, across rural America, those exact obstacles continue to slow or stop deployments — even when funding is available.

With billions in BEAD funding rolling out across the U.S., we’re at a pivotal moment in closing the digital divide. But there’s one catch: fiber, while powerful, isn’t always practical. It’s time for a more flexible, performance-focused approach — one that embraces multi-broadband access strategies and puts tools like Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) front and center where they make the most impact.

Fiber First — But Not Fiber Only

There’s no denying that fiber delivers incredible performance and long-term value. That’s why BEAD was designed as a “fiber-first” program. But in reality, building fiber into some parts of rural America is a long, expensive, and sometimes impossible process. Trenching through rocky terrain, getting permits to cross railroads or protected land, or attaching to aging utility poles can slow down projects for months — even years.

That’s not just a delay. It’s a missed opportunity for families, students, and small businesses still waiting for a reliable connection.

FWA: The Agile Ally for Rural Connectivity

This is where fixed wireless access shines. With technologies like Mimosa’s point-to-point and point-to-multipoint solutions — and game-changers like the new Mimosa C6 non-line-of-sight radio — broadband can leap over terrain challenges, dodge permitting gridlock, and connect communities with gigabit-class performance in a fraction of the time.

FWA isn’t a stop-gap. It’s part of a sustainable hybrid solution that brings fiber closer — but not all the way — and then uses wireless for that final, most difficult hop.

BEAD Should Fund Outcomes, Not Just Mediums

If the goal of BEAD is to connect as many people as possible with reliable, high-speed internet, then funding should prioritize performance and timelines — not just the infrastructure type. FWA can meet and exceed the necessary speed and latency requirements, especially when used in a thoughtful, hybrid deployment model.

Let’s give state broadband offices the flexibility to consider every viable option — especially when some homes and communities may otherwise be left behind.

Broadband for All — Together

No one technology can solve the digital divide alone. Fiber, FWA, satellite, DOCSIS — they all have a role to play, depending on the environment, urgency, and budget.

At Mimosa, we’re proud to be part of the bigger picture — enabling faster, more affordable broadband access where it’s needed most. We don’t compete with fiber; we complement it, creating powerful, hybrid networks that deliver real-world results.

Because broadband should reach everyone — no matter how many tracks, trees, or topographic twists lie in the way.