Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program

Bead Allocation Methodology

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law tasked NTIA with defining “high-cost areas” as part of the BEAD allocation formula. Visit the following page to find out more.

Bead Allocation Methodology

Key Dates

Looking Back on BEAD

All 56 Eligible Entities, (50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands) opted in to participate in the BEAD program demonstrated over the past 18 months:

• By July 13, 2022, all 56 Eligible Entities submitted Letters of Intent to NTIA, kickstarting their participation in the BEAD program.
• By August 17, 2022, all 56 Eligible Entities submitted an Application for Initial Planning Funds;
  • All 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico received up to $5 million each, and
  • American Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands each received up to $1.25 million.
• Following the release of the Initial Planning Funds, Eligible Entities submitted their Five-Year Action Plans for the BEAD program to NTIA.
• On June 30, 2023, NTIA announced Notices of Available Amounts; informing each Eligible Entity how much of the $42.45 billion BEAD grant would be available to them to expand high-speed Internet access.
• As of December 27, 2023, all 56 Eligible Entities submitted their Initial Proposals for NTIA approval.
• Each Eligible Entity will have 1 year from the approval of Volume 2 of its Initial Proposal to submit its Final Proposal. This means each Eligible Entity’s Final Proposal will be due on a different date, but those dates will be reflected on the InternetForAll.gov website.

Track Initial Proposal Approval Progress Here

Looking Ahead: What’s Next?

Once NTIA approves Volume I of an Eligible Entity’s Initial Proposal and their Volume 2 has been submitted to the NTIA, the Eligible Entity can begin their Challenge Process, refining further which unserved locations, underserved locations, and Community Anchor Institutions will qualify to receive high-speed Internet through project plans funded by BEAD.

Track Challenge Process Progress Here

When the entire Initial Proposal is approved, and the Challenge Process is completed and approved by NTIA, Eligible Entities can begin the Subgrantee Selection process, identifying which providers will carry out project plans to reach the BEAD goal of providing high-speed Internet access to 100 percent of unserved and underserved locations within each Eligible Entity’s territory.

Final Proposals are due no later than 365 days after the approval of the complete Initial Proposal. Once an Eligible Entity’s Final Proposal is approved by NTIA, the Eligible Entity will receive BEAD Program funds to begin funding BEAD projects. 

See Section IV.B of the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for additional timeline and program sequencing information.  

View BEAD Plans by state.

Award Synopsis

To date, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has allocated more than $42.45 billion across 56 states and territories as part of the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program.

Click here to learn more about Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program Funding Recipients.

Key questions considered when preparing applications:

• 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?

See BEAD Application Guidance Package for:

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

The NOFO describes how, in partnership with other federal actors, as well as States, Territories, Tribal nations, cities, towns, counties and other localities, the non-profit sector, academia, unions and worker organizations, and industry, NTIA intends to administer the BEAD Program. This program will lay critical groundwork for widespread access, affordability, equity, and adoption of broadband, create good-paying jobs; grow economic opportunities, including for local workers, provide increased access to healthcare services, enrich educational experiences of students, close long-standing equity gaps, and improve the overall quality of life across America.

You can find full details about this program in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

Download the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)