From the Office of Broadband Development…
Broadband Matters: Office of Broadband Development Updates
- Line Extension Connection Program, Round 5 bidding window closes May 22
- Broadband Task Force, May meeting plans
- Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) updates
Line Extension Connection Program, Round 5 bidding window closes May 22
The Round 5 Provider Bidding Application and Line Extension Program Guide, with guidance for the fast-tracked round are available on the Line Extension Connection Program webpage.
The bidding window for the fast-tracked Round 5 opened April 22 and bids are due May 22, 2026 by 1:30 p.m. CT.
Registration is open for residents and businesses for future rounds of the program and OBD expects to announce a sixth round of the program with standard timelines using state funds later in 2026.
More information and registration are available on the Line Extension Connection Program webpage. For assistance completing the application or to request a paper form to complete, please call 651-259-7610 or email DEED.broadband@state.mn.us.
Broadband Task Force, May meeting plans
The Broadband Task Force will meet virtually on Thursday May 21 at 10 a.m. CT.
The May meeting will feature two Tribal broadband experts who will address topics on workforce development, supply chain issues, and broadband expansion: Godfrey Enjady (President of the National Tribal Telecommunications Association-NTTA) and Anis Khemakhem (Chief Commercial Officer at Clearfield Inc.).
- NTTA advocates for its member telephone companies and supports efforts to deliver modern telecommunications services to Tribal lands.
- Clearfield, Inc. launched the Tribal Broadband Training Initiative, providing a no-cost Fiber Optic Technician Course to Native American communities. The program aims to create pathways to living-wage careers and connect Tribal lands with high-speed fiber broadband. Clearfield also complies with Build America Buy America (BABA) and manufactures fiber optic connectivity and management products.
The meeting is virtual and open to the public. The meeting agenda with Teams link to join is available on the Broadband Task Force webpage.
Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) updates
OBD continues to work on contracting and environmental review. Additional and updated resources on the OBD BEAD webpage include:
- BABA Self-Certification List for BEAD from NTIA’s BABA Compliance and Self Certification guidance page.
- Webinars from the April 2026 Broadband Development Training Series to support environmental permitting and reviews efforts are posted on the OBD Webinars and Recorded Events webpage.
- The Minnesota BEAD Contractor Directory continues to be updated regularly with submissions. More information on this directory is available on the OBD BEAD webpage.
OBD appreciates its ongoing partnerships across community, regional, state, and federal levels and the people, places, and events our office gets to in small ways be apart of and we will be featuring shared photos over the summer to recognize and appreciate this impact.