From the Office of Broadband Development…

Office of Broadband Development BEAD Updates

• Minnesota’s BEAD Final Proposal Submitted to NTIA
• BEAD Public Comment Period Summary
• BEAD Infrastructure Investment and Technology Distribution

Minnesota’s BEAD Final Proposal Submitted to NTIA

As required by the Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, the Minnesota Office of Broadband Development (OBD) submitted its Final Draft Proposal to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), including the Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce, on September 4, 2025. NTIA has committed to review and approve plans in 90 days.

OBD will continue to revise and update the documents as required by NTIA and necessary to ensure all BEAD eligible locations are served as defined by the policy notice.

The Final Proposal and its attachments are available now on the OBD BEAD webpage.

BEAD Public Comment Period Summary

The public comment period for Minnesota’s Draft Final Proposal was open from August 28 to September 3, 2025, in accordance with NTIA guidance.

OBD welcomed public input through multiple channels – online, by phone, and via email, in addition to hosting five in-person listening sessions across the state, along with a virtual event for Tribal partners.

OBD extends its sincere appreciation to everyone who submitted comments or joined the in-person sessions held in Hutchinson, Owatonna, Bemidji, Fergus Falls, and Duluth. Your ongoing support and engagement are truly valued.

A special thank you to the host sites for their collaboration: Southwest Initiative Foundation, Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, Northwest Minnesota Foundation, West Central Initiative Foundation, and Northspan.

BEAD Infrastructure Investment and Technology Distribution

Deployment and Technology-Type Results
As published in Minnesota’s Draft Final Proposal submitted to NTIA on September 4, 2025:

• Infrastructure/Broadband Deployment: $391,611,699 (an increase from the previously reported posted draft of $381 million)
• Technology Breakdown by Percentage and Location Count:
  • Fiber/Coax: 57.7% – 43,339 location
  • Satellite: 24.8% – 18,651 locations
  • Fixed Wireless: 17.5% – 13,031 locations

Minnesota’s Draft of the Final Proposal and attachments can be found on the OBD BEAD webpage.