Emergency Burn Ban In Effect 10/26/24 - An emergency burn ban is now in effect for all Connecticut State Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Management areas, prohibiting the use of all outdoor grills, firepits, and campfires, and the kindling and use of flame outdoors. DEEP and local agencies are working to contain several active fires across the state. Please avoid all affected State Parks and Forests, as well as the blue-blazed Mattabesett Trail. The Enduro Trail in Voluntown and portions of North Stonington within the Pachaug State Forest are closed at this time. Rocky Neck State Park is also closed until further notice due to a brush fire. Please note that today's forest fire danger report remains at a 'very high' or 'extreme' level. More information about the current fire danger, burn ban and recommended safety measures can be found here

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

 

BEAD graphic

 

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:

  1. Prequalification Phase: DEEP will begin with prequalification of applicants.
  2. Scoring Phase: DEEP will issue a grant application and accept and score grant applications from prequalified applicants for specific projects.
  3. Negotiation Phase: DEEP will then proceed to negotiations with the highest-scoring applicants and make provisional grant awards.

A prequalification webinar was held on October 21, 2024. Watch the recording. Download the slides.

An office hour was be held on November 6, 2024 from 2PM to 3PM to support applicants with the prequalification process. 

View DEEP's responses to Frequently Asked Questions (last updated November 8, 2024).

Timeline

 Prequalification Webinar & Application Materials Released October 21 
 Questions for FAQ Deadline October 30 
 Office Hour November 6 
 FAQ Release November 8 
 Prequalification Application Deadline November 20 
 
Application Materials

 

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-YeBroadband Action Plan coverar 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