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Volume 55 - October 2024 

$27.8 Million Awarded for Digital Connectivity and Navigator Grants

On September 12, 2024, the Commission awarded $27.8 million in grants funded by the Capital Projects Fund (CPF) Digital Connectivity and Navigators Program to improve broadband adoption and affordability by providing access to devices, technology, and digital navigators. 

The 11 projects awarded funding will connect approximately 52,000 households to devices and 33,000 households to free Wi-Fi at home.

Press Release

Summary Table

Updated County Profiles Available 

The WBO recently updated the County profiles in the Broadband Planning section of our webpage. The 2024 profiles are designed to give community leaders, members of the public, and other stakeholders a quick view of the total number of locations, likely BEAD funding eligible locations, and locations in progress with other funding in a selected county.

Native Entity Digital Equity Capacity & Planning Grants

The National Telecommunication and Information Administration (NTIA) is currently accepting applications from Native Entities for the Digital Equity Capacity and Planning Grant Program. Program details and application instructions for Native Entities begin on page 42 of the State Digital Equity Capacity Notice of Funding Opportunity. Applications are due February 7, 2025.  Get Ready One-Pager Digital Equity Native Entity Capacity Application Webinar Upcoming NTIA Webinars: Grants 101 for Native Entities (Thursday, October 17, 2:00PM ET) DE Capacity for Native Entities: Standard Forms (Wednesday, October 23, 3:00PM ET)

Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Resources 

BEAD Engagement and Endorsement Factsheet

The Wisconsin BEAD Program sub-award application scoring process awards points to proposed broadband projects that meet certain criteria for endorsement and engagement. The WBO has released a fact sheet and frequently asked questions document to help applicants, community organizations, and local and Tribal governments understand the scoring criteria and estimated timeline. The factsheet provides examples of the types of activities and documentation that may be used to meet the scoring requirements along with questions and answers regarding the scoring criteria. 

UW-Extension BEAD Endorsement Sample Language Guidance

The University of Wisconsin, Division of Extension (UW Extension) has created a resource and document with BEAD endorsement sample language guidance to assist counties and Tribes with the endorsement criteria of the BEAD sub-award process. UW Extension has provided recommendations, a timeline, and sample language that may be used to document official endorsement by the County or Tribe for BEAD applicants. You can find the link to the sample language for a resolution or endorsement letter on the Writing BEAD Endorsement Letters: Sample Language Webpage.

See UW Extension’s Broadband Toolkit for assistance with local broadband planning.

NEW BEAD Frequently Asked Questions Document 

The WBO has published BEAD Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) version 1. This document will serve as a useful resource for potential applicants and interested parties alike. This FAQ will be updated over the coming months as Wisconsin progresses through the BEAD process. Please send any questions about this FAQ document or the BEAD program to PSCBEADgrants@wi.gov

FCC Extends Lifeline Benefit to Survivors of Domestic Violence

The Federal Lifeline program has a new special category of eligible consumers. As directed by the 2022 Safe Connections Act (SCA) the Lifeline program benefit can now help survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and related crimes to receive Emergency Lifeline support for up to 6 months, and request a discounted phone, internet, or bundled services at a discount. 

Survivors can also now make a request with their service provider to separate their mobile phone lines from family plans where the abuser is on the account.  For more information, visit the Survivor Benefit page.

Consumer advocates can review the Safe Connections Act Consumer Advocates webinar to learn more about how survivors can apply for Lifeline.

National Digital Inclusion Week Oct. 7- 11, 2024

Digital Inclusion Week is an annual week of awareness, recognition, and celebration of the work done in communities across the country to help bridge the digital divide. Digital Inclusion Week is organized by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) and its 1,800+ affiliates nationwide.  A number of organizations in Wisconsin are celebrating the week with special events and educational activities. A full schedule of events and opportunities is available on the website.

Broadband Affordability: The Metrics that Drive & Divide Us

This paper, a Next Century Cities publication by Corian Zacher and Stacey Baxter, exams the relationship between broadband access and poverty levels across the United States. The authors offer suggestions for policymakers to improve internet and device adoption data collections processes. 

Beyond Connectivity: The Role of Broadband in Rural Economic Growth and Resilience

A new economic study released by the Center on Rural Innovation shares the economic impact of broadband on income, entrepreneurship, and business investment. The study finds a more significant economic impact in rural communities that are better connected and have access to additional services while comparable underserved communities experience economic stagnation. 

Grant Recipient Corner

Report Due Reminders

State Broadband Expansion Grants: An interim project status report is due October 31 for all open state-funded grant awards that will not be completed by October 31, 2024. 

ARPA Broadband Infrastructure Quarterly reports are due October 10^th to ERF

Capital Projects Fund Broadband Infrastructure Quarterly reports are due October 10^th to the PSC Grants System

NEW*: All status reports for FY23 grants will now be submitted through the PSC’s Grants System.  In addition to this reminder, you will also receive a system generated email with a link to complete the report. *Earlier grant cycles will continue to file reports on ERF. 

Other Reminders 

Performance Period: FY23 grants have a performance period from June 8, 2023- November 30, 2025. If you need to request an amendment including an extension, budget change, or scope change you can use the Amendment Request Form on the state webpage.

How to use the Grants System: If you have not used the grants system yet, please watch this webinar, which will teach you how to access the system, create a log in, and submit reimbursement requests. 

As always please contact your grant specialist with any questions.

Wisconsin Broadband Office Newsletter

The Wisconsin Broadband Office will send out regular communication to internet service providers, grant applicants and broadband stakeholders. We aim to be relevant and share timely information from our office. Please reach out if anyone from the Wisconsin Broadband Office can be of assistance or if you would like to request a staff member attend a meeting or make a presentation to your group. Email Us

PSC is transitioning to using govDelivery for sending general communication such as press releases and program area newsletters. The govDelivery platform is used by thousands of government agencies for sending engaging, secure, and timely messaging. For more information about govDelivery, visit the govDelivery website.