Big news from the NTIA…

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has approved Volume 1 of the Minnesota Office of Broadband Development’s Initial Proposal for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, a cornerstone of the Biden-Harris Administration’s “Internet for All” initiative.

This approval will enable Minnesota to begin their BEAD Challenge Process — a major step towards closing the digital divide and meeting the President’s goal of connecting everyone in America with affordable, reliable, high-speed Internet service.

The BEAD Challenge Process is vital because it determines the locations and community anchor institutions within each jurisdiction that are eligible for BEAD funding.

Key step toward achieving BEAD goals

Before the BEAD program can meet the goal of providing accessible and affordable broadband, all unserved locations, underserved locations, and eligible Community Anchor Institutions must be identified.

Helps ensure accurate results

An evidence-based, fair, transparent, and expeditious BEAD Challenge Process, as outlined in the NOFO and Challenge Process Policy Notice, helps ensure accurate results, an efficient process, and a precise allocation of resources.

Gathers information needed before running the subgrantee selection

The subgrantee selection process cannot be run without first having an accurate and comprehensive list of eligible locations and CAIs.

Next Steps

• Look out for State / Territory Specific Guidance
  It is important to pay close attention when your Eligible Entity posts their Challenge Process and instructions on how to participate.

• Eligible Entities will make this information available publicly and will inform eligible challengers when this information is made available.

The BEAD program is a $42.45 billion state grant program authorized by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The states, territories and Washington D.C. were allocated funding to deploy or upgrade high-speed Internet networks to ensure that everyone has access to reliable, affordable, high-speed Internet service.

Once deployment goals are met, any remaining funding can be used on high-speed Internet adoption, training, and workforce development efforts, among other eligible uses.

BEAD-eligible entities—the 56 states, territories, and the District of Columbia—are required to submit for NTIA’s approval an Initial Proposal detailing how they plan to spend their BEAD allocation to deliver high-speed Internet access to all unserved and underserved locations within their borders. All states submitted their Initial Proposals by December 27, 2023. Visit the Bead Initial Proposal Progress Dashboard page where NTIA provides weekly updates on the status of all 56 states and territories’ Initial Proposal.

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Internet for All

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes a historic $65 billion investment to expand affordable and reliable high-speed Internet access in communities across the U.S. NTIA recently launched a series of new high-speed Internet grant programs funded by the law that will build high-speed Internet infrastructure across the country, create more low-cost high-speed Internet service options, and address the digital equity and inclusion needs in our communities.

For more information on the Biden-Harris Administration’s high-speed Internet service programs, please visit InternetforAll.gov.

About the National Telecommunications and Information Administration

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, is the Executive Branch agency that advises the President on telecommunications and information policy issues. NTIA’s programs and policymaking focus largely on expanding broadband Internet access and adoption in America, expanding the use of spectrum by all users, advancing public safety communications, and ensuring that the Internet remains an engine for innovation and economic growth.