The latest news from the Office of Broadband Development…
Broadband Matters: Office of Broadband Development Updates
- BEAD updates, Pre-Qualification extended to March 13
- OBD weekly office hours registration
- OBD 2024 annual report
- Digital Opportunity update
- Governor’s Task Force on Broadband, February meeting recap
BEAD updates, Pre-Qualification extended to March 13
The BEAD Pre-Qualification process in Minnesota has been extended, and will now close on March 13, 2025 at 11:59pm CST. This change and its impact on future dates has been reflected on the OBD BEAD timeline.
NEW! Submit all questions for the FAQ via online web form below. OBD will continue to review responses as a team and with our federal partner, and the FAQs will be updated weekly. Please also plan to submit all Pre-Qualification portal questions by Thursday March 6.
Additional resources and reminders on BEAD in Minnesota:
- View the BEAD Call for Applications online
- Registration information and guides on using the portal are available on the OBD BEAD webpage. Any Internet Service Provider (ISP) potentially interested in participating in any of the anticipated 3 rounds of BEAD must complete the BEAD Pre-Qualification Process.
- If you have any technical questions on using the BEAD Grantor Portal, please email mnhelpdesk@ready.net.
- The BEAD Pre-Qualification FAQ was updated with additional questions and is available to download.
- A video demonstration is now available to assist with using the Minnesota interactive broadband map from Connected Nation, Broadband State Programs Map. A downloadable PDF is also available as a quick-start guide, BEAD Mapping Portal Guide.
OBD weekly office hours registration
Register now for weekly office hours to hear updates on the federal BEAD program in MN, the BEAD prequalification process, and answer questions on the registration portal. Office hours are Tuesdays at 11am and run through April 1. Registration is open for the sessions below:
- March 4, register here
- March 11, register here
- March 18, register here
- March 25, register here
- April 1, register here
For any questions on office hours, please email deed.broadband@state.mn.us.
OBD 2024 annual report
The 2024 Office of Broadband Development Annual Report to the legislature was submitted on January 2025 and is available online. This report includes highlights on the 2024-year, state programs, historic mapping efforts, updates on federal grant programs, and next steps and recommendations on broadband availability in the state.
Digital Opportunity update
New digital opportunity reading materials have been published! On February 18, the Urban Institute released a new report, titled “Expanding Digital Opportunity: A Framework and Roadmap for Strengthening Digital Inclusion.” This report presents evidence-based strategies for increasing access to, adoption of, and use of digital communication technologies for all individuals and communities. These include supporting individual connectivity through subscription subsidies, low-cost or free devices, and free public Wi-Fi and mobile hotspots; protecting digital privacy; and providing clear digital training and navigation, as well as properly equipping and supporting those who train others in these skills.
Governor’s Task Force on Broadband, February meeting recap
The Governor’s Task Force on Broadband met virtually on February 13 and heard a utility panel discussion to better understand the field of aerial broadband across the state of Minnesota. The Task Force also heard updates from OBD on BEAD and Digital Opportunity, and discussed the logistics of future meetings and subgroup work moving into 2025. More information and meeting materials are available on the Broadband Task Force’s webpage.
A big thank you to the panelists who joined the meeting to share their work and expertise and join in discussion with Task Force members: Eric Clement (Manager of Grid Modernization, Minnesota Power), Mary Jo Woolf (Senior Director, Distribution Business Operations, Xcel Energy), and Ty Houglum (Vice President/CIO, East Central Energy).