Broadband Equity, Access, And Deployment (BEAD) Program
The Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program (BEAD) Program, funded by the IIJA, is a $42.45 billion federal grant program that aims to connect every American to high-speed internet by funding partnerships to build infrastructure. In June 2023, NTIA announced allocation amounts for all 56 states and territories. States and territories can use their allocated funds for these eligible uses:
- Planning for the deployment of high-speed internet, including conducting research, collecting data, outreach, and training
- Deploying or upgrading internet infrastructure in unserved or underserved areas, or improving service to community anchor institutions
- Installing internet and Wi-Fi service in multi-unit residential buildings
- Internet access, adoption and use programs
- Workforce readiness programs to meet the needs of the infrastructure programs
- Other activities that increase meaningful use of constructed infrastructure, at the discretion of the Assistant Secretary
BEAD Restructuring Policy Notice Released
NTIA has issued a Policy Notice instituting reforms to the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program.
Click here for the most up-to-date information on the BEAD program.
Related content
Ramping Up the BEAD Workforce: 5 Things States, ISPs, and Construction Firms Can Be Doing Now
By: Will Arbuckle, Senior Policy Advisor, NTIA
The $42.45 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program aims to connect 25 million Americans currently without high-speed Internet access. Building these broadband networks on time and at scale across 56 states and territories will require tens of thousands of broadband construction workers: from network designers to pole surveyors, from locators to drill operators, from general laborers to fiber splicers.
Establishing partnerships as well as initiating and administrating education and training that prepares individuals to be effective across this spectrum of jobs can take between 9 months to 1 year. NTIA encourages grantees to act now to ensure workers are on board and trained so that BEAD deployment remains on track. NTIA will continue to support grantees as they move from planning to implementation.
Every state and territory’s BEAD Initial Proposal includes a workforce readiness plan. And so far, more than 30% intend to allocate nearly $350 million in BEAD funding to support broadband workforce development initiatives. For example:
Every State and Territory is Ready to Implement Internet for All
Biden-Harris Administration Approves Texas' “Internet for All” Initial Proposal
Texas Requested Access to BEAD Funds Totaling Over $3.3 Billion; All 56 States and Territories Now Approved
WASHINGTON – The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has approved Texas' Initial Proposal for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, a cornerstone of the Biden-Harris Administration’s “Internet for All” initiative.