$42B for Broadband Flows to States
The Administration announced the allocation of $42 billion in funding from the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA) to states and territories for broadband projects. Now what?
On June 26, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced funding allocations by state and territory for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program.
With $42 billion in funding from the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA), the BEAD program will help ensure universal internet access for all Americans by funding states to extend broadband infrastructure to unserved and underserved areas with limited or no internet access.
Each state is guaranteed a baseline allocation of $100 million, and each territory is guaranteed $25 million for broadband deployment. From the IIJA funds remaining after the guaranteed allocation, additional funding is calculated based on the number of unserved and underserved locations to be connected in each state and territory divided by the nationwide total. The total allocation for each state and territory is determined by combining the guaranteed and calculated amounts.
States have 180 days from June 26 to submit a BEAD Initial Plan to NTIA. The plan outlines the strategies, goals, and initiatives the state intends to implement to address broadband access and deployment within its jurisdiction. During the 180 days allotted for states to submit their plans, they are required to post their plans for a 60-day public comment and review period.