The Biden-Harris Administration’s $45 billion Internet for All initiative will be administered and implemented by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration. The Internet for All initiative is comprised of the three broadband funding programs authorized by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021: Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program ($42.5 billion); Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program ($1 billion); and, State Digital Equity Act programs ($1.5 billion). Below is an update on recent news about NTIA’s efforts.

NTIA Awards Two Broadband Planning Grants: $4.9 Million To Idaho & $5.5 Million To Nebraska

November 16, 2022 – The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has announced that broadband planning grants have been awarded to Idaho and Nebraska. The grants consist of Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program funding for broadband deployment planning and Digital Equity Act funding for digital equity planning. Idaho receives $4.9 million and Nebraska receives $5.5 million.

Idaho will receive $4,376,087.09 in BEAD funding for the following: Identification of unserved and underserved locations; Outreach to diverse stakeholders across all entities and geographies within the state; Increase capacity to implement BEAD grants and build infrastructure throughout Idaho; Build a broadband infrastructure map for the State of Idaho; Asset mapping across the Eligible Entity to catalog broadband adoption, affordability, access, and deployment activities; Surveys of unserved, underserved, and underrepresented communities to better understand barriers to adoption; and Efforts to support local coordination including capacity building at the local and regional levels. Idaho will receive $564,706.00 in digital equity planning funds for the following: Development of a Statewide Digital Access Plan; Community and stakeholder engagement; and Data collection and analysis of barriers to high-speed Internet adoption.

Nebraska will receive $4,999,817.07 in BEAD funding for the following: Identification of unserved and underserved locations; Capacity building of the state's broadband office; Creating a framework through which grants are distributed to subgrantees based on the structure in place for the Nebraska Broadband Bridge Program (NBBP) grant program; Improved understanding of the specific areas of need for high-speed Internet service; and Outreach to communities throughout Nebraska. Nebraska will receive $598,745.97 in digital equity planning funds for the following: Developing Nebraska's Digital Equity Plan; Community outreach and engagement through public comments, regional or tribal digital equity planning committees, site visits and regional listening sessions; Surveying for digital equity assets to understand barriers to high-speed Internet adoption; and Subawards to Nebraska's eight economic development districts to develop seven regional digital equity plans.

NTIA Provides Progress Report On Internet For All Initiative

November 15, 2022 – The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has released a report on its progress with implementing the Internet For All initiative. The Biden Administration’s Internet for All initiative is comprised of the following three broadband funding programs authorized by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021: Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program ($42.5 billion); Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program ($1 billion); and, State Digital Equity Act programs ($1.5 billion). NTIA lists the following as accomplishments in the first year of the Internet For All initiative:

• Crafting Notices of Funding Opportunity – ahead of Congress’ deadline – for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD); Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure; and State Digital Equity Planning Grant programs explaining how funding will be awarded and establishing application deadlines for states and territories.

• Obtaining applications from all eligible states and territories—56 in total—to participate in Internet For All.

• Securing 247 applications for Middle Mile program grants, which will reduce the cost of bringing high-speed Internet service to unserved and underserved communities.

• Awarding more than $1.5 billion in grants to Tribal entities and minority-serving institutions—including more than $300 million from the Infrastructure Act—to ensure communities that are often the hardest to reach can deploy high-speed Internet service.

• Calling more than 2,500 Internet service providers to encourage them to provide data for the forthcoming map of high-speed Internet availability from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), on which NTIA will base its state budget allocations for the BEAD program.

• Hiring Federal Program Officers to cover every state and territory participating in Internet For All to ensure each has a point of contact within NTIA for help with their broadband funding needs.

• Co-hosting local coordination events in six states—and counting!

• Holding 20 listening sessions and office hours as well as 22 webinars to address concerns and questions from applicants.

• Hosting seven consultations with hundreds of Tribal leaders to solicit their input on program rules.

• Conducting more than 70 one-on-one technical assistance sessions for applicants of non-competitive programs.

• Responding to more than 360 inquiries across the BEAD, Digital Equity, and Middle Mile programs.

• Addressing state and local government stakeholder groups such as the African American Mayors Association, the Council of State Governments, the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials, the National Governors Association, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and the National Organization of Black Elected Legislative Women.

NTIA To Announce BEAD Program Allocation Levels By June 30, 2023

November 10, 2022 – The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has announced it will communicate Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program allocation levels to eligible entities by June 30, 2023. NTIA made the announcement via a press release shortly after the FCC announced it will release a pre-production draft of its new broadband availability map on Friday, November 18, 2022. The BEAD Program will provide $42.45 billion in grants to expand high-speed broadband internet access by funding planning, infrastructure deployment, and adoption programs in all 50 U.S. states, Washington D.C., and U.S. territories. Each U.S. state, DC, and Puerto Rico will receive an initial allocation of $100 million to support planning efforts, including building capacity in state broadband offices and outreach and coordination with local communities, while another $100 million will be divided among the remaining U.S. territories for the same purposes. Remaining BEAD Program funding will then eventually be distributed using a statutorily defined formula that considers the number of unserved and high-cost locations in a state, based on the FCC’s new broadband availability maps. NTIA’s announcement included the following timeline:

FCC To Release Draft Version Of New Broadband Availability Map On November 18

November 10, 2022 – The Federal Communications Commission has announced it will release a pre-production draft of its new broadband availability map on Friday, November 18, 2022. This will be the first map based on data submitted by broadband providers under the FCC’s Broadband Data Collection. It will show the availability of broadband services at the location level throughout the country, as of June 30, 2022. The map will be interactive. Users will be able “to search for their address, and review and dispute the services reported by providers at their location.” Users also will be able to submit challenges and corrections to location information contained in the Broadband Serviceable Location Fabric directly through the map’s interface. Additional information about the new broadband availability map, submitting challenges to Fabric locations, and challenging fixed broadband availability data is available on the FCC’s Broadband Data Collection website.

NTIA Releases BEAD Workforce Planning Guide

October 19, 2022 – The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has released a Workforce Planning Guide for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. The Workforce Planning Guide is intended to help Eligible Entities “in developing their workforces for grant implementation as well as designing workforce plans and standards for subgrantees.” The guide consists of the following sections: Components of a Workforce Plan for the BEAD Program; Developing a BEAD Workforce Plan guidance, including proposed planning steps and pacing suggestions for completing BEAD submissions and key integration points with the Digital Equity Program; Strategies and Examples that offer a range of approaches for meeting workforce requirements; and Additional Resources to support the workforce planning and implementation process.

NTIA Awards $6.47 Million Broadband Planning Grant To Ohio

October 13, 2022 – The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has announced it has awarded a $6,470,550.76 broadband planning grant to the state of Ohio. The grant consists of Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program funding for broadband deployment planning and Digital Equity Act funding for digital equity planning.

Ohio will receive $5 million in BEAD funding for the following: Identification of unserved and underserved locations; Efforts to support local coordination including outreach to diverse stakeholders across all entities and geographies within the state; Planning and capacity-building of the state's broadband office; Asset mapping across Ohio to catalog broadband adoption, affordability, equity, access and deployment activities; and Local engagement with unserved, underserved, and underrepresented communities to better understand barriers to adoption.

Ohio will receive $1,470,550.76 in digital equity planning funds for the following: Development of a Statewide Digital Equity Plan; Hiring a Digital Equity and Inclusion Manager who will create and execute the state digital equity strategy; Create a plan that will benefit the state of Ohio including utilizing the previously established BroadbandOhio Alliance; Regional coalitions to coordinate community engagement activities and ensure the needs of underrepresented populations are identified; and Pilot programs that engage with underserved populations.

NTIA Receives Over 235 Applications Requesting Over $5.5 Billion In Funding From Enabling Middle Mile Infrastructure Grant Program

October 4, 2022 – The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has announced that preliminary data indicates over 235 applications, requesting more than $5.5 billion in funding, were submitted for the Enabling Middle Mile Infrastructure Grant Program. The Middle Mile Grant Program will provide up to $1 billion in grant funding for the construction, improvement, or acquisition of middle mile infrastructure. The program’s application window opened on June 21, 2022, and closed on September 30, 2022. NTIA will evaluate the applications and make awards on a rolling basis no earlier than March 2023.  

NTIA Updates Federal Broadband Funding Resource Website

September 19, 2022 – The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has released an update to its Federal Funding website, which serves as a comprehensive resource for applicants seeking federal funding for the deployment of broadband infrastructure. The Federal Funding site includes information on more than 80 federal broadband funding programs across 14 federal agencies, including the three broadband funding programs authorized by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021: Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program ($42.5 billion); Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program ($1 billion); and, State Digital Equity Act programs ($1.5 billion). Visitors to the Federal Funding site can access information using several resources including a PDF guide, an Interactive Guide, and a spreadsheet database.

NTIA Awards $2.9 Million Broadband Planning Grant To Louisiana

August 31, 2022 – The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has announced it has awarded a $2,941,542.28 broadband planning grant to the state of Louisiana. The grant consists of Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program funding for broadband deployment planning and Digital Equity Act funding for digital equity planning.

Louisiana will receive $2 million in BEAD funding for the following: Identification of unserved and underserved locations; Outreach to diverse stakeholders across all entities and geographies within the state; Training for employees of the broadband program; Asset mapping across the Eligible Entity to catalog broadband adoption, affordability, equity, access and deployment activities; Surveys of unserved, underserved, and underrepresented communities to better understand barriers to adoption; and Efforts to support local coordination including capacity building at the local and regional levels.

Louisiana will receive $941,542.28 in digital equity planning funds for the following: Development of a Statewide Digital Equity Plan; Hiring of a Digital Equity/Inclusion Specialist who will create and execute the state digital equity strategy; Partnerships with a consortium of our higher education institutions; and Engagements with the National Digital Inclusion Alliance to provide direct advice and best practices.

NTIA Announces All U.S. States & Territories Have Applied For BEAD Program Initial Planning Funds

August 17, 2022 – The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has announced that all U.S. states and territories have submitted applications for initial planning funds as part of the $42.45 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. Initial BEAD planning fund applications were due August 15, 2022. NTIA will now evaluate the applications and make awards available as expeditiously as possible. Within 270 days of receiving their planning funds, states and territories must submit a BEAD Program 5-year plan, which will help establish a state’s goals and priorities for distributing BEAD Program grants. BEAD planning funds can be used for a number of broadband access planning activities, including: research and data collection; publications, outreach, and communications support; providing technical assistance to potential subgrantees; training for broadband program employees; establishing, operating, or increasing capacity of a broadband office; broadband mapping functions; conducting surveys of unserved, underserved, and underrepresented communities; and promoting the Affordable Connectivity Program. Additional information about the BEAD Program is available from NTIA’s BEAD website and InternetforAll.gov.

All 50 States Commit To Participating In Internet For All Initiative – BEAD Program, Middle Mile Grant Program, & State Digital Equity Act Programs

July 13, 2022 – The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has announced that all U.S. states and territories have committed to participate in the Internet for All initiative. Launched in May 2022, the Biden-Harris Administration’s $45 billion Internet for All initiative will be administered and implemented by NTIA, and is comprised of the following three broadband funding programs authorized by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021:

• Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program ($42.5 billion);

• Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program ($1 billion); and,

• State Digital Equity Act programs ($1.5 billion). 

The BEAD Program will provide $42.45 billion in grants to expand high-speed internet access by funding planning, infrastructure deployment, and adoption programs in all 50 states, Washington D.C., and U.S. territories. States will use BEAD Program grant funding to prioritize the expansion of broadband internet access to unserved locations (no access to 25/3 Mbps broadband service) and underserved locations (no access to 100/20 Mbps broadband service). Applications for BEAD initial planning funds are due August 15, 2022.

The Middle Mile Grant Program will provide up to $1 billion in grant funding for the construction, improvement, or acquisition of middle mile infrastructure. Entities eligible for funding include the following: a State, political subdivision of a State, Tribal government, technology company, electric utility, utility cooperative, public utility district, telecommunications company, telecommunications cooperative, nonprofit foundation, nonprofit corporation, nonprofit institution, nonprofit association, regional planning council, Native entity, economic development authority, or any partnership of two or more of these entities. The program’s application window opened on June 21, 2022, and closes on September 30, 2022.

The State Digital Equity Act Programs consist of three grant programs that promote digital equity and inclusion, which are designed to ensure that all people and communities have the skills, technology, and capacity needed to reap the full benefits of the digital economy. The three grant programs are: the State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program (a $60 million grant program for states and territories to develop digital equity plans); the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program (a $1.44 billion program for states and territories to fund an annual grant program for five years in support of digital equity projects and the implementation of digital equity plans); and the Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program (a $1.25 billion program to fund annual grant programs for five years to implement digital equity projects). The State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program application window opened on May 13, 2022. The other two programs will open later on a later date.

Senate Subcommittee On Communications To Hold Hearing On NTIA Oversight & NTIA’s Role In Infrastructure Act Implementation

June 3, 2022 – The U.S. Senate Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Communications, Media, and Broadband will convene a hearing titled “Oversight of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration” on Thursday, June 9, 2022, at 10 am ET. During the hearing, members of the Subcommittee will examine, among other things, NTIA’s “implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and its role in federal spectrum management.” Alan Davidson, NTIA Administrator, is listed as the sole witness. The hearing will be streamed live online at www.commerce.senate.gov.

34 States & Territories Submit Letters Of Intent To Participate In Broadband Equity, Access, And Deployment (BEAD) Program

May 18, 2022 – The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has announced that 34 states and territories have submitted letters of intent to participate in the $42.45 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. Letters of intent were submitted by the following states and territories: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, American Samoa, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Tennessee, United States Virgin Islands, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia and Wisconsin. 

Created as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, the BEAD Program will provide $42.45 billion in grants to expand high-speed internet access by funding planning, infrastructure deployment, and adoption programs in all 50 states and U.S. territories. States and territories (eligible entities) will receive BEAD Program funding, and then using a competitive process, will award BEAD funding to “subgrantees” for the construction of broadband networks and projects. Subgrantees will be required to deploy their planned broadband networks and begin providing services within their project areas not later than four years after the date on which they receive their BEAD Program grant a state or territory.

The BEAD Program will prioritize grant funding for the expansion of broadband internet access to unserved locations (no access to Reliable Broadband Service at speeds of at least 25/3 Mbps) and underserved locations (no access to Reliable Broadband Service at speeds of at least 100/20 Mbps). “Reliable Broadband Service” is defined as broadband service that the FCC Broadband DATA Maps show is accessible to a location via: (i) fiber-optic technology; (ii) Cable Modem/ Hybrid fiber-coaxial technology; (iii) digital subscriber line (DSL) technology; or (iv) terrestrial fixed wireless technology utilizing entirely licensed spectrum or using a hybrid of licensed and unlicensed spectrum. Locations served exclusively by satellite, services using entirely unlicensed spectrum, or a technology not specified by the FCC for purposes of the Broadband DATA Maps, do not meet the criteria for Reliable Broadband Service and will be considered “unserved” for BEAD Program purposes.

To participate in the BEAD Program, an eligible entity must submit a letter of intent no later than 11:59 p.m. EDT on July 18, 2022. Either with its letter of intent or afterwards, an eligible entity that is a U.S. state, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico may request up to $5,000,000 in initial planning funds. Requests for initial planning funds not sent with a letter of intent must be submitted to NTIA by 11:59 p.m. EDT on August 15, 2022. Eligible entities that receive initial planning funds must submit their five-year action plans to NTIA no later than 270 days after receipt of initial planning funds.

Commerce Department Announces Launch Of Internet For All Initiative – The 2021 Infrastructure Act’s Broadband Funding Programs

May 13, 2022 – The U.S. Department of Commerce has announced the launch of the Biden-Harris Administration’s $45 billion Internet for All initiative, which will be administered and implemented by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The Internet for All initiative is comprised of the following three broadband funding programs authorized by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021:

• Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program ($42.5 billion);

• Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program ($1 billion); and,

• State Digital Equity Act programs ($1.5 billion). 

The BEAD Program will provide $42.45 billion in grants to expand high-speed internet access by funding planning, infrastructure deployment, and adoption programs in all 50 states, Washington D.C., and U.S. territories. States will receive an initial allocation of $100 million to support broadband planning efforts, and the remaining funding will be distributed using a statutorily defined formula that considers the number of unserved and high-cost locations in a state based on the FCC’s new broadband maps. States will then use BEAD Program grant funding to prioritize the expansion of broadband internet access to unserved locations (no access to 25/3 Mbps broadband service) and underserved locations (no access to 100/20 Mbps broadband service), followed by the provision of 1/1 Gbps broadband service to community anchor institutions. Pursuant to the BEAD Program’s timeline, the application window opens on May 13, 2022; letters of intent are due July 18, 2022; and initial planning funds applications are due August 15, 2022.

The Middle Mile Grant Program will provide up to $1 billion in grant funding for the construction, improvement, or acquisition of middle mile infrastructure. The program’s expansion of middle mile broadband infrastructure will reduce the cost of connecting areas that are unserved or underserved to the internet backbone. Entities eligible for funding include the following: a State, political subdivision of a State, Tribal government, technology company, electric utility, utility cooperative, public utility district, telecommunications company, telecommunications cooperative, nonprofit foundation, nonprofit corporation, nonprofit institution, nonprofit association, regional planning council, Native entity, economic development authority, or any partnership of two or more of these entities. The program’s application window opens on June 21, 2022, and closes on September 30, 2022.

The State Digital Equity Act Programs consist of three grant programs that promote digital equity and inclusion, which are designed to ensure that all people and communities have the skills, technology, and capacity needed to reap the full benefits of the digital economy. The three grant programs are: the State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program (a $60 million grant program for states and territories to develop digital equity plans); the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program (a $1.44 billion program for states and territories to fund an annual grant program for five years in support of digital equity projects and the implementation of digital equity plans); and the Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program (a $1.25 billion program to fund annual grant programs for five years to implement digital equity projects). The State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program is currently open. The other two programs will open later on a later date. The State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program application window opened on May 13, 2022. Planning applications or letters of intent are due on July 12, 2022.

NTIA Releases BEAD Program Notice Of Funding Opportunity

May 13, 2022 – The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has released a Notice Of Funding Opportunity for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. The NOFO describes the requirements under which NTIA will award BEAD Program broadband grants. Created as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, the BEAD Program will provide $42.45 billion in grants to expand high-speed internet access by funding planning, infrastructure deployment, and adoption programs in all 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Each U.S. state, DC, and Puerto Rico will receive an initial allocation of $100 million to support planning efforts including building capacity in state broadband offices and outreach and coordination with local communities, while another $100 million will be divided among the remaining U.S. territories for the same purposes. Remaining BEAD Program funding will then eventually be distributed using a statutorily defined formula that considers the number of unserved and high-cost locations in a state, based on the Federal Communications Commission’s new broadband maps.

BEAD Program grant funding will prioritize the expansion of broadband internet access to unserved locations (no access to 25/3 Mbps broadband service) and underserved locations (no access to 100/20 Mbps broadband service). Pursuant to the BEAD Program’s application timeline, the application window opens on May 13, 2022; letters of intent are due July 18, 2022; and initial planning funds applications are due August 15, 2022. The BEAD Program application packet and further guidance on the application process is available from the NTIA Grants Portal.

NTIA Releases Notice Of Funding Opportunity For Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program – Application Window Opens June 21, 2022

May 13, 2022 – The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has released a Notice Of Funding Opportunity for the Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program. Created as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, the Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program will provide up to $1 billion in grant funding “for the construction, improvement, or acquisition of middle mile infrastructure.” The program is intended “to expand and extend middle mile infrastructure to reduce the cost of connecting areas that are unserved or underserved to the internet backbone.”

The NOFO lays out the requirements under which NTIA will award Middle Mile Program grants. Entities eligible for Middle Mile grant funding include the following: a State, political subdivision of a State, Tribal government, technology company, electric utility, utility cooperative, public utility district, telecommunications company, telecommunications cooperative, nonprofit foundation, nonprofit corporation, nonprofit institution, nonprofit association, regional planning council, Native entity, economic development authority, or any partnership of two or more of these entities. NTIA expects to make Middle Mile grant awards within the following range: $5 million to $100 million. The period of performance for grants issued under the program ends five years from the date on which the funds are made available to the eligible entity.

The program’s application window opens on June 21, 2022, and closes on September 30, 2022. NTIA expects to complete its review and selection of successful applicants by February 16, 2023. NTIA expects that the start date for awards under the NOFO will be no earlier than March 1, 2023. Program application packets and additional information are available on the NTIA Grants Portal.