BEAD Program

Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program

The BEAD Program was allocated $42.45 billion by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law) to expand high-speed internet access across the country by funding broadband planning, deployment, mapping, equity, and adoption projects and activities.

Connecticut will receive $144 million to enhance broadband in the state.

This competitive grant program will fund the deployment of broadband service to unserved and underserved locations. After all locations have been served, any remaining funds will be used to support deployment of gigabit connections to community anchor institutions and digital equity related projects.

For information on Connecticut's digital equity programming and to read the State's Draft Digital Equity Plan, click here.

BEAD graphic

Challenge Process

About the Challenge Process

The BEAD Challenge Process is critical because it determines the locations and community anchor institutions within Connecticut that are potentially eligible for BEAD funding. Per the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) requirements, the State used the National Broadband Map as a starting point to identify the list of BEAD-eligible locations within its jurisdiction. DEEP will review and potentially modify the designation of a location as served, underserved, or unserved on the National Broadband Map through the Challenge Process. As required by statute, the initial eligibility determinations for funding eligibility under the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program are based on the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) National Broadband Map.

Eligible challengers include local governments, Tribal governments, nonprofits, and broadband service providers. While NTIA requirements do not allow individuals to submit challenges directly, residents of Connecticut may work with eligible challengers to identify inaccuracies.

Phase	Dates
Challenge Phase (deadline extended)	April 1 - May 14
Rebuttal Phase	May 24 - June 22
Final Determination Phase	June 23 - July 22

The Challenge Process is now in the Final Determination Phase.

During the Final Determination phase, DEEP will make the final determination of the classification of the locations, either declaring each challenge “sustained” or “rejected.”

Challenge Process Portal

The file linked below lists Community Anchor Institutions (CAIs) that had been challenged regarding their eligibility for gigabit internet connections. These CAIs were subject to review and potential rebuttal based on the provided evidence of current broadband availability.

Per the Challenge Process as outlined in Volume 1 of the Initial Proposal, DEEP published a list of BEAD-eligible unserved, underserved, and served locations, as well as identified Community Anchor Institutions, using Fabric version 3.2 and availability data from the National Broadband Map as of February 20, 2024:

The locations posted in the files above have been deduplicated. The methodology is available in the Initial Proposal. As required by statute, the initial eligibility determinations for funding eligibility under the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program are based on the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) National Broadband Map.

Challenge Phase Resources

Please contact DEEP.Broadband@ct.gov with questions.

Initial Proposal

The Initial Proposal is the “first draft” of DEEP’s Final Proposal for BEAD grant funding, and, among other things, explains how Connecticut will ensure that every resident has access to a reliable, affordable, and high-speed broadband connection. After a public comment period, Volumes 1 and 2 of Connecticut’s Initial Proposal were submitted to the NTIA on December 27, 2023.

Click here to read Volume 1 of the Initial Proposal.

Click here to read DEEP's response to public comments submitted for Volume 1 of the Initial Proposal.

Five- Year Action Plan

The plan serves as a strategic roadmap to achieve the state’s broadband goals and serves as a comprehensive needs assessment that will inform the next steps of the funding process. Submission of the plan to the NTIA also brings the state one step closer to receiving the more than $144 million awarded to Connecticut through the BEAD Program.

Click here to read the Five Year Action Plan.