The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) approved an application for Wisconsin to award more than $13 million to implement its Digital Equity Plan. This funding comes from the $1.44 billion State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program, created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Wisconsin will use this funding to implement our Digital Equity Plan, which outlines how the state will empower individuals and communities with the tools and skills necessary to benefit from meaningful access to affordable, reliable, high-speed internet service. Additional information about Digital Equity Capacity grant opportunities will be coming in early 2025.
On November 14, Wisconsin’s Challenge Process results received approval from NTIA. The approved list of BEAD eligible locations will serve as Wisconsin's final list of BEAD eligible locations and eligible Community Anchor Institutions. The Commission has posted the final approved data, list of eligible locations and a letter noting the approval.
Frequently Asked Questions Version 2 Posted
The WBO published version 2 of the BEAD FAQ to provide additional clarity for components of the BEAD program, including the sub granting process, application scoring, and the sequence and details of program requirements. The BEAD FAQ version 2 is available in docket 5-BD-2025, on the BEAD Grant webpage, and can be accessed directly here.
Draft BEAD Grant Agreement Available for Review:
A Draft BEAD Grant Agreement is now available. Potential and eligible applicants and other interested parties should review the draft Grant Agreement’s provisions and requirements for funding awardees. The BEAD draft grant agreement is on the BEAD Grant program webpage, and can be accessed directly here. For questions regarding the draft Grant Agreement or the BEAD program, please email: PSCBEADGrants@wisconsin.gov
Preliminary BEAD Project Units Available
A preliminary draft of project units for the Wisconsin Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program is now available. The online web map allows users to view the preliminary assignment of eligible locations into project units. Project units are groups of locations nearby each other that will be made available to BEAD applicants to be built as a single unit (or combination of units). A file listing the project units and locations is available on the BEAD Grant webpage.
Internet for All Wisconsin BEAD Update Webinar
On Tuesday December 17, 2024 from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. the Wisconsin Broadband Office will host a webinar to provide more information about the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. All are welcome to attend, including stakeholders, communities, local governments, Tribal Nations, and members of the public who are interested in receiving a progress update and knowing what’s next in the BEAD timeline. Here is a link to register.
BEAD Endorsement and Engagement Activities
In prior communication the WBO has suggested that Endorsement and Engagement activity be complete by December. With our locations now approved we are anticipating round one to open in January and suggest that any local government, Tribe or organizations complete endorsement and engagement activity by January 30, 2025. An Engagement and Endorsement FAQ is available on our website.
Version 2 of the Broadband Grant Footprint Released
The Commission recently released version 2 of the Broadband Grant Footprint, an interactive mapping tool for Wisconsinites to see the locations of broadband expansion grant projects statewide. This tool shows where in the state projects are being built that were awarded broadband grant funding by the Commission. Wisconsinites can search for broadband grant projects in their area by performing an address search and navigating the map. Grant projects can be looked at individually and in groups based on the grant round and technology type. A swipe bar tool is available to view completed projects separately from all projects under construction. Users can move the swipe bar to the right to view all completed projects and to the left to view all awarded projects.
All Internet Service Providers Required to Display Broadband Labels
All internet service providers (ISPs) are now required to display consumer-friendly Broadband Consumer Labels. The Broadband Consumer Labels are meant to mirror FDA nutrition labels and must disclose information about broadband prices, introductory rates, data allowances, and broadband speeds. If a provider is not displaying their labels or has posted inaccurate information consumers can file a complaint with the FCC Consumer Complaint Center.
Updated BEAD Progress Dashboard Released
NTIA unveiled an updated BEAD Progress Dashboard. The dashboard allows the public to track how their state or territory is progressing through major BEAD deployment milestones, including completing the challenge process and selecting providers to build the infrastructure.
NTIA Received Requests for $6.5 Billion for Digital Equity Competitive Grant Program
The Competitive Grant program is one of three Digital Act programs and is a national grant program administered directly by NTIA. The program received more than 700 applications requesting more than $6.5 billion in funding to support digital equity projects across the country. That is more than six times the available amount from the first round of the Digital Equity Act’s Competitive Grant Program funding.
USDA Community Connect Awarded in Wisconsin
The USDA announced $8.6 million in Community Connect Program grants to expand high speed internet in rural Wisconsin. The grants include $4.3 million to CTC Telcom, Inc for locations in Barron County and $4.3 million to Chibardun Telephone Cooperative, Inc. for locations in Washburn County. A full press release is available here.
Lac Du Flambeau Breaks Ground on Broadband Expansion
In early November, the Lac du Flambeau Business Development Corporation celebrated a historic moment with a groundbreaking ceremony celebrating the start of Eighth Fire Communications, a $25 Million broadband expansion grant from NTIA, which in phase one plans to bring high-speed fiber to 2,300 homes and businesses within the Lac du Flambeau reservation.
Internet for All Wisconsin BEAD Update Webinar
On Tuesday December 17, 2024 from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. the Wisconsin Broadband Office will host a webinar to provide more information about the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. All are welcome to attend, including stakeholders, communities, local governments, Tribal Nations, and members of the public who are interested in receiving a progress update and knowing what’s next in the BEAD timeline.
FY22 State Broadband Expansion Grants are scheduled to close November 30, 2024. If you need to request an extension please complete the Amendment Request Form on the PSC State Broadband Expansion Grants webpage. Reminder that final reports, final reimbursement requests, GIS data, and all related project materials to close the grant are due December 30, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. Reach out to PSCBroadbandGrantReimbursement@wisconsin.gov with questions.
FY23 State Broadband Expansion Grants: going forward all status reports are to be submitted through the PSC’s Grants Management 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.
ARPA Broadband Grants
ARPA Broadband Access Grants FY22 are scheduled to close December 31, 2024. If you need to request an extension please contact your grant specialist immediately by emailing PSCFederalBroadbandGrantReimbursement@wisconsin.gov. Reminder that final reports and all related project materials to close the grant are due January 30th, 2025.
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.
