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Following approval from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) in December 2025, Wisconsin received approval of the BEAD Final Proposal from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) on Monday February 9, 2026. The Wisconsin Broadband Office (WBO) began sending BEAD grant agreements to BEAD subrecipients in March and already has executed agreements for 23 BEAD projects with additional BEAD grant agreements expected in the coming weeks. Projects with executed agreements are authorized to begin their environmental and historic review and then construction. Wisconsin's approved final proposal includes $696.5 million in funding for 175,464 locations around the state.
Commission Awards Nonprofit Access Grants
On March 26, 2026, the Commission voted to award $500,000.00 to 15 nonprofit organizations to facilitate affordable access to telecommunications services. The funded projects are estimated to reach a combined 5,000 individuals across the state.
Awarded projects will implement programs that provide devices such as cell phones, accessibility equipment, and hotspots, as well as digital skills training centered around employment, education, health, accessibility, and online-safety. These programs will provide targeted benefits to older adults, people experiencing homelessness, people with disabilities, and low-income families. The 15 funded projects will start July 1, 2026, and continue through June 30, 2028.
UW Extension to Host Regional Workshops:
Healthcare in the Digital Age: Leveraging Broadband for Better Health and Stronger Communities
UW Extension is hosting FREE regional workshops to explore the critical connection between broadband access and improved health outcomes, and how advancements of this connection drive local economic growth. By bringing together community leaders, healthcare providers, and technology stakeholders, the workshops aim to discuss the intersection of connectivity and quality of care, and identifying how expanded broadband can transform health services and patient experiences.
The one-day free workshops will take place at locations across the state:
- April 22, Green Bay, Brown County STEM Innovation Center
- April 23, Rhinelander, Nicolet College Northwoods Center
- May 6, Dodgeville, Iowa County Law Enforcement Center
- May 19, Rice Lake, Northwood Technical College
- June 2, Milwaukee, ThriveOn King
April Governor's Task Force Meeting
The April meeting of the Governor's Task Force on Broadband Access is scheduled for Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. CT. The meeting will be virtual and open to the public. Registration is required. Planned for the April meeting, a broadband industry panel with representatives from fiber, cable and wireless companies will tackle questions on broadband access, affordability, and policy. The meeting agenda and a 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.
Federal Broadband Updates
FCC Accepting Comments on the Lifeline Program
The FCC seeks to ensure that Lifeline services are used to benefit and support eligible low-income Americans; that the program's funding is protected from waste, fraud, and abuse, and that service providers are in compliance with FCC rules. The FCC also seeks to update and streamline Lifeline and related rules. Comments are due on or before May 4, 2026, and reply comments are due on or before June 2, 2026. More information here.
NTIA Delays Releasing BEAD Non-Deployment Guidance
On Friday March 6, 2026, NTIA announced they are delaying the release of guidance on how state can spend the remaining non-deployment funds that were allocated to states and territories through the $42 billion BEAD program. See NTIA's announcement on the delay.
FCC's Annual Performance Report
The FCC released their FY2025 Annual Performance Report which covers the period from October 1, 2024 - September 30, 2025, and provides information about the FCCs performance and activities over the course of the 2025 federal fiscal year. The 16-page annual report is available here.
NTIA Updates the BEAD Frequently Asked Questions
On April 2, 2026, NTIA released version 20 of the NTIA BEAD Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document. The FAQ document provides detailed information about the BEAD program, guidance and other important program details. The document is available online here.
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