Agency: Commerce – National Telecommunications and Information Administration
Description:
Grants to support the expansion of broadband. Funds can be use for planning (e.g. broadband data collection and mapping), construction, subsidies for internet-connected devices, and to provide Wi-Fi or reduced-cost internet access to multi-family housing units.
Bill Section:
60102
New or Existing:
New
Potential Cost:
$42,450,000,000
Timeline:
Until expended.
Implementation Status/Rulemaking:
In June 2022, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced the availability of grants under the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. A letter of intent is due July 18, 2022 and an application for Initial Planning Funds is due August 15, 2022: Source
On April 25, 2023, NTIA released proposed guidance for the BEAD Program challenge process – an opportunity for a unit of local government, nonprofit organization, or Internet service provider to challenge whether a location or community anchor institution is eligible for a state’s BEAD funding. Comments are due May 5, 2023: Source
On June 26, 2023, NTIA published the formula allocation of $41.6 billion in BEAD funds for states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. All states are required to submit Initial Proposals by December 27, 2023: Source
On June 28, 2023, NTIA released final guidance for the BEAD Program challenge process: Source
On December 15, 2023, Louisiana became the first state eligible to have an approved Initial Proposal: Source
TCS Notes:
Specifies each State, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico will receive an allocation of at least $100 million and the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands will each receive $25 million. Each State will receive initial funding of $5 million and each territory will receive initial funding of $1.25 million to support broadband planning efforts including building capacity in State broadband offices and outreach and coordination with local communities.
The remaining funding will be distributed based on a formula that considers the number of unserved and high-cost locations in the State, based on the maps to be published by the Federal Communications Commission. The first priority for the deployment of a broadband network is providing funding to projects that primarily reach unserved locations (those below 25/3 Mbps), followed by those that primarily reach underserved locations (those below 100/20 Mbps), and then serving community anchor institutions (1/1 Gbps).