Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program

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Status: 

Planning Grant Awarded

High-speed Internet access isn't a luxury. It’s needed to fully engage in the economy, and it helps ensure public safety and the health of our nation. Unfortunately, too many in America lack access to affordable, reliable high-speed Internet.

The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program provides $42.45 billion to expand high-speed Internet access by funding planning, infrastructure deployment and adoption programs in all 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Download the program info sheet (English | Español)

Request for Comments: Tailoring the Application of the Uniform Guidance to the BEAD Program

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has launched a request for comment (RFC) giving all interested stakeholder an opportunity to provide input on any exemptions from the Uniform Guidance that might help facilitate the implementation of the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program. 

The Uniform Guidance is the federal government’s framework for grants management, providing rules and requirements for federal awards and subawards. Following the publication of the BEAD Notice of Funding Opportunity, various stakeholders requested that NTIA clarify the extent to which the Uniform Guidance applies to grants and subgrants awarded under the BEAD Program, if at all, and identified provisions of the Uniform Guidance that they argue will deter the participation of Internet service providers and/or increase the costs that subgrantees will incur—and the award amounts they will require—to participate in the program without concomitant benefit. These stakeholders also requested that NTIA address their concerns by waiving or otherwise modifying the application of the Uniform Guidance to the BEAD Program.

This Request for Comment affords all interested persons an opportunity to provide input on any exemptions from the Uniform Guidance that might help facilitate the implementation of the BEAD Program. 

Written comments in response to the RFC should be filed by August 4, 2023, 30 days from the date of publication in the Federal Register, on https://www.regulations.gov. Comments submitted in response to the RFC will be made publicly available.

This program funds projects that help expand high-speed Internet access and use. It supports infrastructure deployment, mapping, and adoption. This includes planning and capacity-building in state offices. And it supports outreach and coordination with local communities. We aim to expand Internet access to these priority areas:

• Unserved locations (No access to 25/3 Mbps)
• Underserved locations (No access to 100/20 Mbps)

Key questions to consider when preparing your application:

• Will these projects result in coverage for everyone in this state or territory?
• How will this project serve communities of color and address historic lack of investment in underrepresented communities?
• Will this project result in affordable Internet service for consumers?
• What technology will be used to deploy the network and what speed will it provide to consumers? How easily will this technology scale over time?
• How long will it take to build the network?
• Does the applicant have a demonstrated record of compliance with federal labor and employment laws?
• How does this project account for climate change risks?
• Is this project sustainable, and can it provide a lasting solution for the community it serves?

States and Territories will be required to offer a low-cost plan to all their subscribers. The details and rules around the low-cost plans will be part of each state or territory's proposal and will require approval.

See BEAD Application Guidance Package for:

• Step by Step Application Guidance
• Letter of Intent and Application Templates
• Application Checklist and Form Packet

Workforce Planning Guide for BEAD Program Eligible Entities

NTIA offers this Workforce Planning Guide as a resource for Eligible Entities completing submissions for Internet For All programs.  This guide intends to primarily support Eligible Entities developing submissions to the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program but may also be applicable as entities develop their Digital Equity Plans.  It supports Eligible Entities in developing their workforces for grant implementation as well as designing workforce plans and standards for subgrantees.