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Gov. Tony Evers, together with the PSC, has announced that the latest round of the State Broadband Expansion Grant Program is open and currently accepting applications to expand high speed internet to unserved areas of the state. This grant round makes $60 million available and intends to close broadband gaps by building more reliable, long-lasting broadband infrastructure. Additional information about the State Broadband Expansion Grant Program including grant eligibility and grant application instruction details can be found on the State Broadband Expansion webpage. The application period runs from May 19, 2026 through July 27, 2026 at 1:30 pm CDT.
State Broadband Expansion Grant Webinar
Entities interested in learning more about the State Broadband Expansion Grant Program are encouraged to register for the "State Broadband Expansion Grant 2026" webinar that will take place Monday June 8, 2026 at 11:00 AM CDT.
Governor Evers and Commission Announce Awards of $1.7 Million to Expand Telecommunications Services
PSC awarded 29 grants from the 2026 rounds of the Nonprofit Access Grant Program, Lifeline Outreach Grant Program, and Telemedicine Equipment Grant Program. These grant programs are funded by the State Universal Service Fund (USF), which was created to promote availability, and assist with the affordability of telecommunications services in Wisconsin.
The PSC awarded $500,000 from the Nonprofit Access Grant Program to 15 nonprofit organizations to help provide access to telecommunications services for eligible households and persons with disabilities. Grant recipients and projects information are available here.
The PSC awarded $243,964 from the Lifeline Outreach Grant Program to fund 4 organizations whose projects aim to increase participation in the Lifeline Program and help eligible households obtaining the Lifeline discount on phone, cellphone, and internet services costs. Grant recipients and projects information are available here.
The PSC awarded $1 million to 10 nonprofit medical clinics and public health agencies, including Tribal healthcare facilities from the Telemedicine Equipment Grant Program. This funding supports the purchase of specialized medical telecommunications equipment used to promote technologically advanced medical services; to enhance access to medical care in rural and/or underserved areas of the state; or to enhance access to medical care for underserved populations and/or persons with disabilities. Grant recipients and projects information are available here.
PSC Launches a BEAD Utility Pre-Construction Webpage
Over the past decade, significant state and federal investments in broadband deployment across Wisconsin have increased the frequency and scale of utility locating. Delayed or inaccurate locating of facilities can prevent timely, cost-effective deployment of broadband to unserved areas and can present a serious safety risk. Likewise, overly broad and excessive re-locate requests by broadband providers are inefficient, costly for utilities, and put an unnecessary strain on the locating system. BEAD construction will create additional locating demand. Of the 175,000 locations that will get new and improved broadband through BEAD, over 130,000 locations across the state are planned to be built with fiber and an additional 17,000 locations that will be supported by new and existing wireless towers.
Utility locating for broadband infrastructure is urgent and challenging. The PSC is committed to improving utility locating processes for BEAD construction to ensure safe, cost-efficient, and timely locating and construction through proactive communication and information sharing. The Commission has launched a webpage to share information about BEAD for Utilities and pre-construction coordination best practices with BEAD awardees.
Wisconsin BEAD Program Updates
The Wisconsin Broadband Office (WBO) and awardees continue to make progress on the BEAD program in Wisconsin. Of the 28 BEAD awardees in Wisconsin 11 have executed grant agreements that represent $233 million in BEAD funding. Once awardees sign their grant agreement and projects complete their National Environmental and Historic Act (NEPA) review process, construction can begin.
Federal Broadband Updates
USDA Community Connect Grants Accepting Applications
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development invites applicants to apply for funding from the Community Connect Program to build community-oriented, high-speed internet networks for people in rural areas. USDA Rural Development is making approximately $17 million available. The program provides funding to eligible applicants that will provide broadband service in rural, economically challenged communities where service does not exist. Applications are due June 29, 2026. More information here.
USDA Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants Accepting Applications
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development invites grant applications to apply for funding for Distance Learning and Telemedicine projects. This competitive program helps rural communities use advanced telecommunications technology to connect to each other - and the world. USDA Rural Development is making approximately $27 million available. Applications are due June 30, 2026. More information here.
NTIA Releases Tribal Broadband Connectivity Get Ready Primer
NTIA released a "Get Ready Primer" for potential applicants interested in pursuing funding for the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program Round 3 (TBCP 3) and the Native Entities Grant Program (NEGP). The document is available online here.
FCC's Office of Economic and Analytics Releases Internet Access Services: Status as of June 30, 2025
On May 8, 2026, the Federal Communications Commission's Office of Economic and Analytics released the "Internet Access Services: Status as of June 30, 2025 Report." The annual report summarizes information about internet access, availability and subscriptions rates in the United States as of June 30, 2025, using information collected by the Broadband Data Collection and FCC Form 477. The report is available here.
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