NTIA approves California's BEAD plan

The NTIA has approved California's initial proposal for the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program, unlocking access to $1.8 billion. #pressrelease

October 4, 2024

1 Min Read

The Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has approved California's Initial Proposal for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, a cornerstone of the Biden-Harris Administration's "Internet for All" initiative.

This approval enables California to request access to funding and begin implementation of the BEAD program—a major step towards closing the digital divide and meeting the President’s goal of connecting everyone in America with affordable, reliable, high-speed Internet service.

The BEAD program is a $42.45 billion state grant program authorized by President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. California was allocated over $1.8 billion to deploy or upgrade high-speed Internet networks to ensure that everyone has access to reliable, affordable, high-speed Internet service.

Once deployment goals are met, any remaining funding can be used on high-speed Internet adoption, training, and workforce development efforts, among other eligible uses.

BEAD-eligible entities—the 56 states, territories, and the District of Columbia—are required to submit for NTIA’s approval an Initial Proposal detailing how they plan to spend their BEAD allocation to deliver high-speed Internet access to all unserved and underserved locations within their borders. All states submitted their Initial Proposals by December 27, 2023.

NTIA provides updates on the status of all 56 states and territories' Initial Proposal here: https://Internetforall.gov/bead-initial-proposal-progress-dashboard.

NTIA will continue to announce approval of Initial Proposals on a rolling basis.

One year from Initial Proposal approval, states must submit a Final Proposal that details, among other things, the outcome of the subgrantee selection process and how the state will ensure universal coverage.

Read the full press release here.

National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)

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