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On June 30, Governor Evers and the Commission released the fifth annual report of Governor’s Task Force on Broadband Access. The 2025 report provides updated data and maps on Wisconsin’s progress towards broadband access, adoption, and affordability. The report also highlights progress on previous Task Force recommendations, along with case studies to support recommendations. A key highlight is that 93,000 Wisconsin locations that were unserved last year are now served by highspeed internet service; in just one year the number of unserved locations in Wisconsin has decreased by 28 percent.
This year’s Task Force recommendations focus on deployment, partnership, and functional adoption. Some key Task Force recommendations include:
- Invest additional state budget funding for broadband expansion to ensure all Wisconsin residents have access to high-speed internet. Prioritize the deployment of fiber technology where practicable and other quality technology solutions in harder to reach areas.
- Develop processes to facilitate collaboration between Tribal Nations and BEAD awardees during permitting and historic preservation reviews. Maintain ongoing communications with Tribal Nations in Wisconsin to ensure consultation and Tribal consent is being sought for grant funded projects on or traversing Tribal lands prior to the awarding of funds.
- Advocate, develop, and implement state-level solutions to maintain broadband affordability for low-income households following the end of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).
See the full press release here.
BEAD Benefit of the Bargain (BOB) Round Opens July 17
On Thursday, July 17, 2025, the Commission will begin accepting BEAD Benefit of the Bargain (BOB) project applications from entities with an approved Letter of Intent (LOI). BEAD BOB applications will be accepted for both priority and non-priority Broadband Projects for all BEAD eligible locations. Applications will only be accepted through the closed BEAD Grant Award Platform. Applications are due Monday July 28, 2025, by 4:59 p.m. C.T.
Prior to the opening of the grant round, the Commission received and reviewed the BEAD LOI, BEAD Alternative Technologies LOI and BEAD BOB LOI materials. The Commission has approved 41 entities to participate in the BEAD BOB Sub-granting Selection Process in the State of Wisconsin.
A list of entities approved to participate in BEAD is available here.
A map of the available eligible locations and project units is available here.
The subgranting packet that including the questions, rules and priority project template is available here.
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Information About BEAD Program Changes
On June 6, 2025, the National Telecommunication and Information Administration (NTIA) released the BEAD Restructuring Policy Notice that removes and changes certain non-statutory requirements to the BEAD Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). The WBO created the BEAD Program Changes One Pager as a resource for local and tribal governments and broadband stakeholders that summarizes notable changes to the BEAD program. Among the key changes Wisconsin was required to rescind all prior awards and complete a new Benefit of the Bargain (BOB) round. Additional changes include removal of local coordination and engagement requirements, technology neutral approach to sub-granting, and a change in timeline for the Commission to submit the BEAD Final Proposal to NTIA. The new resource also includes additional information on BOB and provides links to other helpful resources for navigating the policy changes.
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To Improve Broadband Deployment Enhanced Data Collection Is Key
On July 8, 2025, Pew Research published a report on improving data collection to better inform broadband deployment, affordability and adoption policy and programs. The report outlines limitations in the available data and the implications those data gaps have on broadband policy.
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The Effective Engagement Scale: Measuring How States and Tribes Are Collaborating in the BEAD Program
This report from the Benton Institute for Broadband & Society examines how states worked with Tribal Nations to a review their BEAD plans. By analyzing states’ outreach, planning, and coordination activities, the report developed the Effective Engagement Scale that locates states on a spectrum from simple notification (Level 1) to meaningful collaboration (Level 4). Wisconsin was ranked a 3 out of 4 on the Engagement Scale.
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Grant Recipient Corner
State Broadband Expansion Grant Fiscal Year 2023 Performance Period
State Broadband Expansion FY23 Grants have a performance period ending 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.
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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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