California has become the latest state to unlock federal funding to expand internet access through the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program.
California’s allocation of $1.8 billion is one of the largest in the nation, second only to Texas, reflecting the size and scale of its broadband infrastructure needs. With this latest approval, 51 out of 56 eligible states and territories have now completed the initial steps of the BEAD program approval process and are able to access funding set aside for them.
In today’s digital age, access to high-speed internet is crucial for accessing education, healthcare and various sources of economic mobility such as job applications. The pandemic laid bare how crucial the internet has become to full participation in communities and economic opportunities, but millions of Americans still lack reliable internet access.
Utilizing funding provided through the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the BEAD program is one piece of the federal “Internet for All” initiative which seeks to close the gap on access to the digital world.
The BEAD program follows a multi-step approval process designed to ensure thorough planning and effective implementation. Initially, states and territories submit a two-volume Initial Proposal.
Volume I outlines the state’s overall strategy and approach to expanding broadband access. Officials at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) then work with states to improve the plans.
States then submit volume II, which provides more detailed plans for implementation, including funding allocation strategies and technical approaches.
After receiving approval for both volumes of their initial proposal, states can begin accessing funds and implementing their programs. The next crucial step is the challenge process, where states refine their lists of unserved and underserved locations. This is followed by the subgrantee selection process, where states solicit and evaluate proposals from internet service providers and other eligible entities to carry out specific broadband projects.
For example, Colorado recently opened applications for $826.5 million in BEAD funds through its Advance Colorado Broadband program, focusing on connecting unserved and underserved areas, particularly in rural regions. Louisiana has launched its GUMBO 2.0 program, allocating $1.355 billion to expand broadband access, aiming to connect 140,000 locations.
California’s BEAD funding complements the state’s existing efforts to improve broadband access. In 2021, California passed legislation to allocate $6 billion in state funding for broadband infrastructure, with a focus on unserved and underserved areas.
The funding has already resulted in internet cables being installed across the state, and with federal funds adding to these existing efforts, California is getting closer to securing internet access for all.
Photo by Possessed Photography on Unsplash
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