In this issue
- BEAD Round 1 Contract Progress
- BEAD Round 2 Planning Updates
- Permitting Roundtables Begin
- NEPA Review and Environmental Compliance Updates
- UTC Pole Attachment Workshop and Public Comment Opportunities
- Public Works Board Emergency Broadband Funding Reminder
- Non-Deployment Funds Guidance Still Pending
Review the October Office Hours recording and get highlights
Please note that due to Veterans Day, our next Office Hours meeting is on Nov. 4. . Register for the next Office Hours
The WSBO held Office Hours on Oct. 14.
All previous Office Hours recordings and Broadband Bulletins are available in the “Additional Resources” section on our BEAD page.
Public Records Notice: Meeting registration information, such as name and email address, is a public record and may be subject to disclosure, pursuant to Chapter 42.56 RCW: PUBLIC RECORDS ACT.
BEAD Round 1 contract progress
WSBO has made significant progress executing BEAD Round 1 awards.
As of Oct. 8, the signing deadline established for awardees, 17 contracts have been signed, covering 76 project areas and representing approximately $245 million in BEAD funding.
Several additional contracts remain in process. WSBO has granted extensions where circumstances warranted additional time, including:
- Outstanding tribal consent processes
- Technology-change requests submitted to NTIA
- Adjustments involving Broadband Serviceable Locations (BSLs)
Project areas awaiting providers
WSBO is evaluating options for addressing those areas and expects to provide additional information in the future regarding negotiations and next steps.
There are several options available under NTIA guidance, and decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis based on what best serves each project area.
BEAD Round 2 planning updates
We continue to prepare for BEAD Round 2, which will use a portion of the remaining BEAD funds to serve additional locations identified by NTIA.
What we know so far
- Round 2 will focus on locations identified by NTIA as eligible for additional deployment funding.
- Eligible locations are expected to be primarily unserved locations.
- WSBO anticipates receiving a list containing approximately 18,000 to 19,000 eligible locations, though final numbers will depend on NTIA determinations.
- WSBO submitted feedback requesting the inclusion of additional locations, including some underserved areas, but final eligibility decisions rest with NTIA.
Estimated funding
Based on NTIA's funding methodology and Washington's average cost per location from Round 1, WSBO currently estimates that approximately $80 million could be available for Round 2 deployment.
Expected timeline
The federal timeline will begin once NTIA releases the official location list following publication of the next FCC Broadband Map update.
Current expectations include:
- WSBO review of the location list (30 days)
- Challenge process (30 days)
- NTIA review and approval
- Round 2 bidding process (90 days)
- NTIA final approval period (90 days)
Challenge process will differ
Locations may be challenged for removal if service is available. Unlike the original BEAD challenge process, additional locations cannot be added through the challenge process.
Permitting roundtables begin
WSBO is launching a new series of quarterly permitting roundtables to support BEAD awardees and their contractors.
The first roundtable focused on pole attachments and permitting requirements and included participation from Avista, Washington PUD Association, Puget Sound Energy (PSE), and the Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC).
You can watch the recording and access slides under the “Permitting Roundtables” card on the BEAD web page.
Targeted issue resolution
In addition to quarterly roundtables, WSBO plans to convene smaller issue-specific meetings to address permitting challenges identified by awardees. These meetings will be organized as needed to help resolve project-specific concerns.
NEPA review and environmental compliance updates
Environmental review work continues for signed BEAD projects. Exciting news - since our Office Hours, one project has completed NEPA review!
Five providers are actively working with WSBO's environmental contractor, EA Engineering. These providers are advancing compliance work across 18 project areas.
WSBO has also updated the BEAD Handbook to include:
- A revised NEPA review timeline
- Additional guidance on environmental review expectations
- A new project submission checklist designed to streamline reviews and reduce follow-up information requests
- Section 106 and Archaeological Review
- WSBO confirmed that its environmental services contract includes support for:
- Section 106 historic preservation review
- Archaeological assessments
- Inadvertent discovery planning
- Archaeological monitoring plans when required
- Coordination with DAHP and other reviewing entities
NTIA recently expanded categorical exclusions and exemptions available for environmental review. However, all projects and applicable exclusions must still be submitted to NTIA for review.
UTC Pole Attachment Workshop and Public Comment Opportunity
The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) will host a Pole Attachment Workshop at 2 p.m. on Nov. 17. Stakeholders interested in utility pole attachment policies and processes are encouraged to participate. You can use this Zoom link to participate in the meeting.
Public comment deadline
The public comment period associated with UTC's work closes at 5 p.m., on Nov. 3. You can make public comments using UTC’s public comment system or by email to records@utc.wa.gov.
Read more information about this work in UTC’s announcement.
Public Works Board Emergency Broadband Funding Reminder
The Public Works Board offers Emergency Broadband Funding to support restoration and recovery efforts.
The Emergency Broadband Funding Program focuses on activities that repair, replace, rehabilitate, improve and/or reconstruct critical broadband infrastructure that have been made necessary by a natural disaster or damaged by unforeseen events.
Priority is given to projects that replace existing infrastructure of the provider whose facilities were damaged by the unforeseen event. The Board does not provide funding to a new provider proposing to replace existing infrastructure impacted by the emergency unless the existing provider has declined to continue providing service in the area and will not rebuild its damaged infrastructure.
Applications are accepted continuously until loan funds are expended. Apply for Emergency Broadband funding program on ZoomGrants.
Non-deployment funds guidance still pending
Participants asked whether there had been any progress regarding federal guidance on BEAD non-deployment funds.
We continue to encourage NTIA to provide additional flexibility in how states may use non-deployment funding categories, and we will share further information as soon as guidance becomes available.
Additional flexibility would help Washington maximize the value of remaining broadband investments and address state-specific needs.
Links & resources
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