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Volume 67 - December 2025 |
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Gov. Tony Evers, together with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC), announced the latest major milestone in the state’s efforts to expand high-speed internet statewide under a federal program designed to expand access to high-speed internet across the country. On December 2, the federal government approved Wisconsin’s BEAD Final Proposal, which will unlock over $1 billion in federal investments secured under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The Final Proposal determines the funding and technology assigned to awardees to construct broadband service to approximately 175,000 homes, businesses and community anchor institutions under the BEAD program. As approved by NTIA, the awards will provide funding to serve all BEAD-eligible locations throughout the state with the support of more than $397 million in matching funds provided by recipients. The breakdown of technologies represented in the awards is 76 percent fiber, 10 percent fixed wireless, and 14 percent satellite. For more information on the Final Proposal approval see the Commission letter. Summary tables of BEAD awards by county and provider are available here (link downloads an excel file). A map of approved Final Proposal locations by technology and recipient is available here.
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Nonprofit Access Grant Program Accepting Applications
Gov. Evers, together with the PSC is excited to announce the opening of the 2026 Nonprofit Access Grant Program. Applications are due by Monday, February 2, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. Nonprofit organizations are encouraged to apply and propose projects aiming to improve the availability and affordability of telecommunications services in Wisconsin. The Commission may award up to a total of $500,000 in grants for this program. Awardees will have two years to complete their projects. All grant applications must be submitted through the PSC's Grants System. Additional information and application instructions are available on the Nonprofit Access Grant Program webpage. A full press release from Governor Evers announcing the program is available here.
Wisconsin Broadband Grant Footprint Updated
The Wisconsin Broadband Grant Footprint map has been updated to reflect the completion status of Commission funded broadband projects as of November 2025. In addition to updated project areas, the map interface includes a new look and functionality that aligns with other Wisconsin Broadband Office web maps. One feature that has not changed is the slider bar, a tool that many users enjoy swiping left and right to observe the progress towards completion of projects. The Broadband Grant Footprint includes all Commission grant awards from 2014 through November 2025. BEAD awards are not yet included on this map.
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Governor's Task Force Meeting
The Governor's Task Force on Broadband Access will not meet in December. The next meeting of the Task Force will be Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. CT. The meeting will be virtual. The meeting is open to the public and registration is required. The meeting agenda and link to register for the meeting will be posted to the Commission Calendar at least 24 hours in advance and will include information on how members of the public can watch and listen online.
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Demand for Broadband Workforce Expected to Rise to Meet BEAD Requirements
A new report from The Pew Charitable Trusts details the workforce opportunities and challenges anticipated with the BEAD deployment awards across the nation. The analysis indicates an increased need for technicians, engineers, and construction crews for the next four years. The October 2025 Issues Brief examines how worker availability, wages, competition and job classification issues present barriers to growth.
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NTIA Releases Updated Frequently Asked Questions
On Friday November 21, 2025, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) released version 16 of the BEAD Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document. The updated FAQ includes new information about the “Protecting the BEAD Program from Defaults” certification and the "Ensuring Timely and Effective Deployment of BEAD Projects" condition.
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Grant Recipient Corner
State Broadband Expansion Grant Post Project Reports:
- Post Project Status reports are due 12/30/2025 for any FY22 and FY23 grantee who submitted a final report in 2023 or 2024. Directions emailed to grantees 12/1/2025.
- The performance period for FY22 and FY23 ended on 11/30/2025- unless already extended by an executed amendment. All final documentation is due 12/30/2025. Please reach out to pscbroadbandgrantreimbursement@wisconsin.gov with questions or to request a checklist of final documentation to be submitted. Directions for each FY22 and FY23 project award were emailed to grantees on 11/4/2025.
American Rescue Plan Act and Capital Project Fund Broadband Interim Reports:
- Interim project status reports are due by January 10, 2026 for the ARPA Broadband Access grants that are still in progress and the Capital Project Fund Broadband Infrastructure grants.
Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Grant Awardee Onboarding:
- The BEAD awards are now approved! Please review onboarding emails from Commission staff and be prepared to submit the required onboarding documents prior to signing a grant agreement.
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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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