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 Digital Equity Plan, click here. 

 

 

Prequalification Process

The Prequalification Process is an opportunity to for potential applicants to fulfill programmatic obligations and compliance requirements ahead of the main application round. Prospective subgrantees of the BEAD Program must participate in the pre-qualification process.

There is a multi-step process for selecting subgrantees and making BEAD fund awards:

 

• Portal Instructions
• Prequalification Application Guidance
• Certifications Template
• Other Public Funding Template
• Ownership Information Template
• Past Performance and Organizational Experience Template
• Service Pricing in Non-Grant Funded Areas Template

Apply to Prequalify Here

 

 

Challenge Process

 

The BEAD Challenge Process was critical because it determined 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 review and modified the designation locations 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 included local governments, Tribal governments, nonprofits, and broadband service providers.

 

The Challenge Process is now in the Final Determination Phase, pending approval by the NTIA. The final data will be posted once it is approved. 

 

A map of challenges and rebuttals as they appeared at the end of the rebuttal phase is available below. Please note that this map is not representative of the final list of eligible locations.

View Map of Challenges and Rebuttals

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 and subsequently approved.

Click here to read Volume 1 and here to read Volume 2. (Note that Volume 2 was updated in August 2024. Changes are redlined.)

Read DEEP's response to public comments submitted for Volume 1 and Volume 2.  

 

 

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 informs the next steps of the funding process.  

Click here to read the Five Year Action Plan. 

 

 

 

BEAD Resources 

BEAD Notice of Funding Opportunity 

BEAD FAQ from NTIA 

FCC National Broadband Map 

About CostQuest Licensing 

 Content last updated October, 2024