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Volume 58 - February 2025 |
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Nonprofit Access Grant and Lifeline Outreach Grant Accepting Applications
The Nonprofit Access Grant Program (5-NF-2025) provides grant funding to nonprofit organizations to facilitate affordable access to essential telecommunications services, including internet access, for low-income households and people with disabilities. The Commission may award a total of $500,000 in grants under this program. Applications are due by 1:30 p.m. CST on March 6, 2025. More information can be found on the Nonprofit Access Grant Program webpage.
The Lifeline Outreach Grant Program (5-LLG-2025) provides grant funding to improve participation in the Lifeline Program, which helps address affordability challenges by providing a discount on essential telecommunications services for low-income households. Non-profit organizations, community-based agencies, institutions of higher education, local and Tribal governments and for-profit businesses are eligible for funding. The Commission may award up to $250,000 in grants under the Lifeline Outreach Program. Applications are due by 1:30 p.m. CST on March 26, 2025. More information can be found on the Lifeline Outreach Grant Program webpage.
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Governor's Broadband Task Force February Meeting
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The February meeting of the Governor's Task Force on Broadband Access is scheduled for Wednesday, February 19, 2025, from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. CST. The meeting will be virtual. The meeting agenda will be posted on the Commission Calendar at least 24 hours before the meeting and will include information on how members of the public can watch and listen to the meeting. Public comments are invited at the beginning of the meeting. |
Connecting Wisconsin: A Broadband Toolkit for Rural Economic Development
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Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation’s Office of Rural Prosperity has recently released Connecting Wisconsin: A Broadband Toolkit for Rural Economic Development. This comprehensive toolkit is a free resource designed to assist regional planners in Wisconsin’s rural areas and Tribal nations with developing robust broadband infrastructure, giving everyone in Wisconsin the tools to stay connected and thrive. Key Highlights of the Rural Broadband Toolkit:
- Step-by-Step Guidance: Detailed instructions on planning and implementing regional broadband projects
- Case Studies: Success stories from rural communities that have successfully enhanced their broadband infrastructure
- Funding Resources: Information on grants and financial assistance available for broadband initiatives
- Technical Assistance: Tips and best practices for overcoming common challenges in broadband deployment
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Wisconsin BEAD Updates
Wisconsin BEAD Grant Round One Closes February 25
The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program has begun accepting project applications to award funding to expand high-speed internet access in Wisconsin. Round One applications will be accepted for both priority (fiber) and non-priority (other qualifying technology that meets the NTIA definition of Reliable Broadband Service) projects. Applications will only be accepted from approved entities through the closed BEAD Grant Award Management Platform. Round one applications are due Tuesday, February 25, 2025, by 4:59 p.m. CST.
BEAD Alternative Technology Letter of Intent Opened February 14
On February 14, the Commission opened the Alternative Technology Letter of Intent (LOI). The Alternative Technology BEAD LOI is for entities wishing to compete for BEAD funding to deploy qualifying alternative broadband technologies. An Alternative Technology describes any broadband access technology that NTIA does not qualify as Reliable Broadband Service but meets the BEAD Program’s minimum technical requirements for speeds and latency. This may include unlicensed fixed wireless and Low Earth Orbit satellite service. A detailed description of the Alternative Technology LOI requirements and questions can be found in the Alternative Technology LOI Application Instructions on the PSC website BEAD grants page. A Letter of Intent is required to participate in the Wisconsin BEAD Grant program. Broadband Office will host office hours on 2/21 at 11:00 am CST, for entities that would like additional information or assistance.
Please note that if you had a previously approved BEAD Letter of Intent, you do not need to submit a new LOI in the grant system. Instead, please file a letter in docket 5-BD-2025 indicating your intent to participate using an alternative technology.
Certifying Existing Unlicensed Fixed Wireless Service
As part of the BEAD process, the Broadband Office is reviewing existing unlicensed fixed wireless (UFW) service to identify areas where existing UFW deployments can meet the technical requirements of BEAD (at least 100/20 Mbps and low latency). UFW providers have until February 28, 2025 to respond to the Commission’s letter (5-BD-2025) and then an additional 30 days to certify their existing service. Areas with certified UFW service will not be awarded BEAD funding for Alternative technologies. Broadband Office will host office hours on 2/21/ at 11:00 am CST.
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 What We Know About the Human Infrastructure of Broadband
This Benton Institute report explores the people and organizations that support internet access for all. The human infrastructure of broadband refers to the people and organizations providing direct support to individuals to access affordable internet and devices, and to teach people the digital skills necessary to make use of connectivity and fully participate in modern society.
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Grant Recipient Corner
More documents going directly from PSC Grant System to ERF: Effective January 23, 2025, certain document types associated with PSC grants that are uploaded to the PSC Grants System will automatically publish to the PSC’s Electronic Records Filing (ERF). If one of these document types are submitted via email (by request of the grants team), the grants team will upload them to the PSC Grants System and they will automatically publish to ERF. This includes the grant agreement, grant amendments, affirmative action documents, program reports, data requests and audit reports.
Not getting our emails? Please make sure to whitelist the PSC email domain @wisconsin.gov in your IT systems so important reimbursement and other reminders don't get caught in your spam filters.
The PSC Fraud, Waste and Abuse Hotline accepts tips and complaints about potential fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement of PSC-administered federal grants. A professional staff member will review your information and determine the appropriate next steps. To report fraud, waste, abuse or mismanagement, please contact the PSC Fraud Hotline at 1-800-225-7729 or 1-608-266-2001 (Local).
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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
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