BEAD Grants – Timeline, Allocations, Key Statistics

The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program is a significant initiative from the United States National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). It was established as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) passed by Congress in 2021 and is intended to help address the digital divide in the United States by making broadband access more equitable and widely available.

The BEAD program is allocated $42.5 billion in federal funding to support the deployment of broadband infrastructure across the country, with a particular focus on unserved and underserved areas. These are locations where broadband service is either completely absent or not as robust as it should be, typically in rural or low-income areas.

The program aims to improve broadband access, affordability, and adoption, with a focus on reaching 100% broadband coverage throughout the United States. The program is structured in such a way that state, local, and tribal governments, as well as other eligible entities, can apply for funding to support their specific broadband initiatives.

This new initiative represents a significant increase in federal funding for broadband deployment, and its establishment recognizes the essential role of broadband in modern life, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic, which emphasized the importance of internet access for work, education, healthcare, and more.

In terms of how the BEAD program differs from previous broadband initiatives, there are several key areas to note:

Scale of Funding

The BEAD program has a significantly larger budget than previous programs, with $42.5 billion allocated. This funding scale is unprecedented and signals a strong commitment from the federal government to address the digital divide.

Local and Regional Focus

The BEAD program involves a more granular, community-focused approach. It requires that applicants coordinate with local and regional bodies to ensure that the broadband networks being deployed align with the specific needs and contexts of the communities they serve.

Emphasis on Affordability

An important aspect of the BEAD program is the requirement for grant recipients to provide a low-cost broadband service option, which is designed to ensure that more individuals and families can afford to access broadband services.

Requirements for Detailed Planning

The BEAD program requires a comprehensive planning process, including a public comment period and detailed proposals from applicants. This includes requirements for applicants to develop “5-year action plans” that articulate how they will work with local and regional entities to deploy broadband networks, and how these networks will support local economic development, telehealth, and related connectivity efforts.

Ongoing Reporting and Accountability

There are also more stringent reporting requirements for recipients of BEAD grants, with initial reports due within 90 days after receiving any grant funds, semiannual reports thereafter, and a final report due no later than one year after all grant funds have been expended.

In summary, the BEAD program is a major step forward in the federal government’s efforts to expand and improve broadband access across the United States. It represents a substantial investment and commitment, and its requirements for detailed planning and ongoing accountability are designed to ensure that the funding is used effectively and equitably.

Program Overview

The BEAD initiative aims for universal broadband coverage across the United States, targeting speeds of at least 100/20 Mbps. Funding distribution is primarily based on FCC broadband maps indicating unserved locations, ensuring every state receives a minimum of $100 million, with territories guaranteed at least $25 million.

Key Funding Allocations

• Texas leads with the largest BEAD allocation ($3.3126 billion), reflecting the state’s substantial rural and underserved populations.
• Major allocations also include California ($1.8641 billion), Missouri ($1.7363 billion), Michigan ($1.5594 billion), North Carolina ($1.5330 billion), Virginia ($1.4815 billion), Alabama ($1.4012 billion), Louisiana ($1.3556 billion), Georgia ($1.3072 billion), and Pennsylvania ($1.1618 billion).

BEAD Grant State Allocations 

BEAD Implementation Milestones

Initial Proposals

By early 2025, all 56 states and territories successfully had their Initial Proposals approved by NTIA, setting foundational strategies for broadband deployment.

Mapping and Challenge Processes

47 of 56 states and territories completed detailed mapping and service challenges to ensure accuracy in funding allocation and to prevent service overlaps.

Provider Selection and Project Awards

As of January 2025, 26 states have actively begun selecting providers and initiating broadband infrastructure projects. Louisiana, Delaware, and Nevada emerged as early leaders, having completed provider selection and submitted their final proposals for NTIA approval.

Final Proposals and Approvals

Louisiana achieved the distinction as the first state with NTIA-approved final proposals, closely followed by Delaware and Nevada.

Strategic Differences and State-Level Approaches

Technology Choices

• Most states prioritize fiber optic deployment, acknowledging its future-proof capabilities.
• States like Nevada and Louisiana incorporate satellite broadband (LEO) for remote locations, emphasizing flexibility.
• Alternative technologies such as fixed wireless and cable upgrades are strategically used in areas where fiber deployment is impractical.

Funding Integration

• Many states strategically combine BEAD funds with prior broadband initiatives (ARPA, state broadband programs) to amplify project impact and reduce duplication.
• Notable examples include Nevada, Texas, California, and Delaware, showcasing effective resource integration.

Provider Selection

• States vary significantly in their provider selection approaches. Louisiana notably favors local providers, granting significant funding to local cooperatives and small ISPs.
• National incumbents (AT&T, Comcast, Verizon) also play a critical role in states like Delaware and Texas.
• Municipal and tribal networks are actively promoted in states like Colorado and Washington, whereas legislative restrictions affect states such as North Carolina.

Political and Policy Considerations

• Texas and several conservative states have advocated for policy flexibility, notably opposing stringent low-cost broadband mandates.
• Conversely, progressive states like New York and Illinois focus heavily on affordability mandates and labor protections.
• Regulatory barriers, such as municipal broadband restrictions, shape strategies significantly, requiring states like North Carolina and Michigan to adapt accordingly.

State and Regional Highlights

Louisiana

• Allocation: $1.356B
• First approved Final Proposal, allocating 95% to fiber, remaining funds to digital equity and resilience initiatives.

Delaware

• Allocation: $107.7M
• Rapid deployment leveraging Comcast and Verizon, minimal state coverage gap remaining from prior investments.

Nevada

• Allocation: $416.7M
• Technology-neutral approach combining fiber, cable, fixed wireless, and satellite, effectively utilizing Amazon’s Kuiper satellites for remote areas.

Texas

• Allocation: $3.3126B
• Employs dual-track funding (state and federal), significantly enhancing overall broadband coverage.
• Advocates heavily for flexibility in federal policy compliance.

Midwestern States

• Michigan, Missouri, Illinois, and Ohio emphasize rural fiber networks, utilizing robust local electric cooperatives and state funding complements.

Western and Mountain States

• States like Colorado, Arizona, Montana, and Wyoming leverage a pragmatic mix of fiber and wireless solutions to overcome geographical challenges.

Northeastern States

• Maine, Vermont, and Massachusetts emphasize community-driven fiber projects, showcasing regional collaboration and municipal involvement.

Southeastern States

• Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and Florida significantly engage rural electric cooperatives, adopting practical approaches favoring industry collaboration for rapid deployment.

U.S. Territories

• Territories like Puerto Rico, Guam, USVI, American Samoa, and CNMI face unique challenges, including reliance on resilient submarine cables and satellite technology.

BEAD Timeline: Key Developments in 2025

This timeline outlines significant events and policy shifts affecting the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program throughout 2025.​

• May 16, 2023: The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) issues a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the BEAD grant program​.
• May 2023: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) publishes an online map showing all federally funded broadband grant projects​​.
• June 30, 2023: The NTIA released funding allocations for the BEAD program​​.
• January 15, 2025: The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced the appointment of 30 experts to the Commerce Spectrum Management Advisory Committee (CSMAC), providing policy and technical advice on wireless technologies and spectrum use.
• February 4, 2025: President Donald Trump nominated Arielle Roth, previously the telecommunications director for Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz, to lead the NTIA. Roth has been critical of the BEAD program’s regulatory approach and its emphasis on fiber-optic solutions.
• March 4, 2025: The Commerce Department, under Secretary Howard Lutnick, announced plans to overhaul the $42.5 billion BEAD program to adopt a “technology-neutral” stance. This change aims to allow satellite internet providers like Elon Musk’s Starlink to access a larger share of funding, potentially increasing Starlink’s allocation from $4.1 billion to between $10 and $20 billion.
• March 16, 2025: Evan Feinman, the outgoing director of the BEAD program, resigned and issued a warning about the administration’s intention to allocate substantial funds to Starlink, expressing concerns about the quality of service for rural broadband users.
• March 19, 2025: President Trump appointed Adam Cassady, former Chief of Staff to FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington, as Acting Administrator of the NTIA. Cassady’s background includes co-founding a technology firm focused on enterprise machine learning solutions.
• March 27, 2025: Arielle Roth’s confirmation hearing took place, during which she addressed questions regarding her stance on Starlink’s involvement in the BEAD program and potential shifts in broadband deployment strategies.
• March 31, 2025: The NTIA released final guidance for BEAD funding of alternative broadband technologies, clarifying how states can use funds to deploy solutions like Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite and unlicensed fixed wireless technologies. This notice provides states with additional flexibility while ensuring the selection of robust technologies for each BEAD-funded location.

Provider Selection and Partnerships: Local vs National Approaches

Each state must decide how to parcel out grants to internet providers – whether to favor local players, incumbents, new entrants, or some mix. State strategies on provider selection have differed in their emphasis on competition and local participation.

Most states have run or are running competitive grant application processes open to all qualifying entities (private ISPs, cooperatives, electric utilities, municipal networks, Tribes, nonprofits, etc., as required by federal rules). Within those competitions, states are using scoring criteria that reflect their priorities. For example, many states award extra points for proposals that offer higher speeds or greater future scalability (which indirectly favors fiber). Affordability commitments and higher private matching contributions also often boost scores.

Local/Regional Providers

A number of states have leaned toward awarding funds to providers based in-state or to rural cooperatives that have ties to the community. Louisiana explicitly noted that ~70% of its BEAD deployment funds are going to companies headquartered in Louisiana​.

The single largest award in Louisiana ($450.5M) went to a newly formed “Louisiana Local Fiber Consortium,” a group of local telecom cooperatives and companies, to cover 76,815 locations – more than half of the state’s total​. This consortium approach suggests a preference for empowering local entities to build out massive fiber networks (likely in areas not served by the big national ISPs).

Louisiana also gave significant awards to Conexon Connect (a specialist in rural fiber deployed through electric co-ops) to cover 8,489 locations, and reserve funds for satellites for the sparse areas​. This strategy builds on Louisiana’s prior GUMBO program success in working with electric cooperatives and smaller cable companies.

National Incumbents

In some states, large national ISPs (like AT&T, Comcast, Charter/Spectrum, Verizon, CenturyLink/Lumen, Cox, etc.) are expected to win substantial grants, especially where they are the only ones with infrastructure nearby. For instance, AT&T is receiving BEAD grants in multiple states – it won $18.7M in Nevada​ and about $54.9M in Louisiana​, and it is a major broadband provider in states like Mississippi, Alabama, Ohio, and California, so likely to be involved there.

Cable companies like Comcast and Charter similarly are bidding to cover pockets within their footprints. States generally have not excluded these incumbents (since the goal is to reach unserved efficiently), but some states required incumbents to compete on equal footing with newcomers. For example, Nevada’s awards went heavily to lesser-known local ISPs: two Nevada companies – SkyFiber and Stimulus Technologies – together won about $323 million (over 58% of Nevada’s total funding) to serve 29,116 locations​, far outpacing what AT&T or Cox received there.

This indicates Nevada’s scoring may have favored cost-effectiveness or local presence; the big telco and cable firms in Nevada (AT&T, Cox) received under $23M each​ while the local fixed-wireless providers proposed to cover wide rural areas at competitive cost. Maryland and Pennsylvania likewise signaled interest in having electric cooperatives or local providers expand service, rather than solely defaulting to the legacy telephone companies.

Public/Municipal Networks

Some states, particularly those with laws permitting municipal broadband, have encouraged city or county-led networks to apply. Colorado and Washington are among states where local governments and Tribes have been active in broadband provision and could receive BEAD subgrants. On the other hand, a few states have legal restrictions on municipal broadband (e.g. North Carolina and Texas historically limited city-run internet). NTIA required states to not exclude any category of applicant, but these state laws still shape the landscape of who actually applies.

For example, North Carolina’s BEAD plan must accommodate the state law that prohibits municipalities from offering retail internet service beyond their jurisdiction – meaning NC’s awards will likely go to private ISPs and co-ops, not city utilities, except perhaps in partnership roles.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the BEAD grant program different from past broadband initiatives?

The BEAD grant program represents a fundamental shift in strategy for closing the digital divide. As opposed to previous efforts which largely took a more hands-off approach to local issues, the BEAD program will allocate money to states directly and charge them with coming up with a plan specific to the needs of their constituents.

When will states begin receiving BEAD grant funding?

Once the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) approves an Initial Proposal, which will happen on a rolling basis, Eligible Entities (states and territories) will be permitted to request access to at least 20% of their allocated funds.

This is expected to begin rolling out sometime in 2024.

Which state received the most BEAD grant funding?

Texas received the highest amount of funding in the initial BEAD grant allocation, totaling $3,312,616,455.45.

Who is eligible for BEAD grant funding?

The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program is designed to provide funding to a range of eligible entities to bolster high-speed internet access.

This includes all 50 states of the United States, the District of Columbia, and several U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.