Internet access aid should help Montanans not Musk

Monica Tranel has started publishing on Substack under Monica Tranel from Montana Connections. Her article on broadband access caught my eye as at times I am frustrated with my internet access.

Montana was awarded $628,973,798.59 through the BEAD (Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment) program. In 2025, Montana ranks 50th among states in BroadbandNow’s annual rankings of internet coverage, speed and availability.

The BEAD program focused on access and affordability; created good-paying jobs; grew jobs for local workers; provided increased access to healthcare; enriched educational experiences of students; and focused on improving access for rural America.

This month, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick announced that BEAD was reversing the decision to prioritize fiber Internet networks in distributing grants, like the nearly $629 million for Montana. The reason? To give the money to Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite company.

Please contact Senators Daines and Sheehy and Representative Zinke to let them know they need to be helping Montanans not billionaires!

– Suz Rittenhouse, Polson