Louisiana Can Proceed Toward Network Construction That Will Connect All Remaining Homes and Small Businesses to Affordable High-Speed Internet
WASHINGTON –The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has approved Louisiana’s Final Proposal for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, a cornerstone of the Biden-Harris Administration’s “Internet for All” initiative to connect everyone in America to affordable, reliable high-speed Internet service.
Louisiana’s Final Proposal outlines its plan for using the more than $1.3 billion in allocated BEAD funding to connect 140,030 households and businesses. Louisiana is the first state to have its Final Proposal approved. This is the final step required under the BEAD statute before Louisiana moves forward with signing agreements with the Internet service providers it has selected to build BEAD-funded networks and begin connecting new locations this year.
"To make our country more competitive, everyone in America needs access to quality, affordable high-speed Internet service so they can fully participate in our modern economy,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “Today, Louisiana can begin building the networks to ensure that people throughout the state can get connected. Congratulations to Governor Landry and the team at ConnectLA on this terrific achievement for Louisiana’s workers, businesses, communities, and families.”
The BEAD program is a $42.5 billion state grant program and a key part of President Biden’s Internet for All initiative. States and territories will use the BEAD funding to deploy or upgrade high-speed Internet networks to ensure that everyone has access. Any remaining funding can be used on high-speed Internet adoption, training, and workforce development efforts, among other eligible uses.
“Today marks a major milestone for the BEAD program, which puts states in the lead to deliver affordable, reliable high-speed Internet service to all,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator Alan Davidson. “Louisiana has an outstanding plan to close the digital divide. Today it can put that plan into action and start building the networks that will connect everyone in the state.”
BEAD-eligible entities—the 56 states, territories, and the District of Columbia—are required to submit for NTIA’s approval a Final Proposal identifying projects to extend affordable, reliable high-speed Internet service to 100 percent of unserved locations within their borders. The status of all 56 states and territories’ BEAD progress is available on NTIA’s website.
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Internet for All
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes a historic $65 billion investment to expand affordable and reliable high-speed Internet access in communities across the U.S. NTIA recently launched a series of new high-speed Internet grant programs funded by the law that will build high-speed Internet infrastructure across the country, create more low-cost high-speed Internet service options, and address the digital equity and inclusion needs in our communities.
For more information on the Biden-Harris Administration’s high-speed Internet service programs, please visit InternetforAll.gov.
About the National Telecommunications and Information Administration
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, is the Executive Branch agency that advises the President on telecommunications and information policy issues. NTIA’s programs and policymaking focus largely on expanding broadband Internet access and adoption in America, expanding the use of spectrum by all users, advancing public safety communications, and ensuring that the Internet remains an engine for innovation and economic growth.