NTIA launches BEAD initial proposal progress dashboard

NTIA has launched a new BEAD Initial Proposal Progress Dashboard that the public can use to monitor the progress of states and territories as they work toward implementing the $42.45 billion Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program.

For the first time, the public will have insights into each of the 56 eligible states’ and territories’ progress toward submitting their Initial Proposals for the BEAD program by the December 27, 2023 deadline. Initial Proposals are critical plans that show how each state or territory will spend millions – or billions – of funding to expand high-speed Internet service.

States and territories have 180 days from June 30th—the date on which they received official notification of their BEAD allocation—to submit their Initial Proposal. Once NTIA approves a state’s proposal, that state can request at least 20% of their allocated funds.

The BEAD Initial Proposal consists of two separate volumes.

• Volume I: A state or territory’s challenge process, during which a unit of local government, nonprofit organization, or broadband service provider can challenge whether a location should be eligible for BEAD grant funding.
• Volume II: The remainder of the state or territory’s implementation plan as detailed in the BEAD Notice of Funding Opportunity.

The Dashboard contains six key milestones the states and territories should reach to meet the 12/27 deadline.

• Share a pre-submission draft of Volume 1 with NTIA for guidance and feedback
• Release Volume 1 for public comment
• Submit Volume 1 for NTIA approval
• Share a pre-submission draft of Volume 2 with NTIA for guidance and feedback
• Release Volume 2 for public comment
• Submit Volume 2 for NTIA approval

Additionally, the Dashboard also notes whether NTIA has approved each volume. While Initial Proposals do not need NTIA approval before 12/27, we have urged states and territories to submit their Volume 1 for approval as soon as they can; upon Volume 1 approval and submission of Volume 2, a state or territory can commence their challenge process.

States and territories are presented in order of the number of milestones reached and will be updated weekly. A few highlights:

Louisiana, Virginia, Delaware, Kansas, and Vermont are farthest along in the process; Louisiana is now able to commence their challenge process.

• 44 states and territories have shared Volume 1 with NTIA for guidance and feedback
• 19 states and territories have also shared Volume 2 with NTIA for guidance and feedback
• 31 states and territories have released Volume 1 for public comment
• Nine states and territories have also released Volume 2 for public comment

CT Bureau