In this first episode of this series, Ian Doescher, Telecompetitor’s Managing Editor, welcomes Lori Adams, Vice President of Broadband Policy and Funding Strategy at Nokia, to discuss lessons learned from the early BEAD funding awards in Louisiana, Delaware, and Nevada. Lori shares insights on how states are allocating BEAD funds, the role of fiber in broadband expansion, and key strategies that successful applicants have used to secure funding. Lori discusses Louisiana’s achievement of 96% fiber deployment, Nevada’s 80% fiber approach, and how local companies are making a significant impact in both states. She emphasizes the importance of understanding program rules and scoring rubrics for those applying for BEAD awards. She also advises companies that are just beginning the application process to act quickly, as many states’ grant windows are closing soon. The episode highlights the need for strategic planning, consortiums, and a deep understanding of state-specific funding processes to increase the chances of success in BEAD applications.Be on the lookout for Part 2 in the BEAD Journey series, sponsored by Nokia.