BEAD
Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment
Closing the Digital Divide
What is BEAD?
The Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program, funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), is a $42.45 billion federal grant program that aims to connect every American to high-speed internet by funding partnerships to build infrastructure. In June 2023, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced allocation amounts for all 56 states and territories. States and territories can use their allocated funds for these eligible uses:
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Planning for the deployment of high-speed internet, including conducting research, collecting data, outreach, and training
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Deploying or upgrading internet infrastructure in unserved or underserved areas, or improving service to community anchor institutions
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Installing internet and Wi-Fi service in multi-unit residential buildings
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Internet access, adoption and use programs
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Workforce readiness programs to meet the needs of the infrastructure programs
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Other activities that increase meaningful use of constructed infrastructure, at the discretion of the Assistant Secretary
Who Qualifies?
This is a complex question! A common misconception is that when Rock Island does grant-funded work, we receive Federal dollars and then decide how to spend it and who will benefit - while in reality, it's quite the opposite!
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Well ahead of awarding a grant to a service provider, Broadband Serviceable Locations (BSLs) are determined by the entity managing the grant, based on State and Federal data on existing broadband availability as well as the estimated cost to serve those areas. BSLs that are underserved and will require a high level of investment to gain access to broadband get the green light for funding.
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In short, the purpose of the grant is to expand broadband access in areas that are underserved and the cost to get broadband access is high. In San Juan County, there are still many areas that fit these parameters, and Rock Island's mission is to see every home and business gain access to our fast, stable and scalable network - grant funding is just one way we work toward that goal.
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BEAD will bring fiber optic service to 874 locations, while another 3,116 will benefit from upgraded coverage and capacity of our fixed wireless infrastructure.
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The project areas are on Orcas, Shaw, Lopez, and San Juan islands. To see the breakdown of which locations are getting fiber through BEAD and which are slated for fiber optic service, visit WSBO's Broadband BEAD Funding Map here:
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We will be reaching out to homeowners directly, starting in January 2027.
How long will it take?
Our overall deadline for completing all BEAD-funded projects is in 2030. As the outreach process progresses and we see responses and signups coming in, we will use that data to drive project rollout. It's most efficient to send contractors to complete all connections in one neighborhood before moving to another, rather than a more scattershot approach. When you receive a mailer or email from us regarding your eligibility to participate in BEAD, you'll be able to access a project "heat map" online, to see how your area is progressing. You can help your neighborhood move forward by talking to your neighbors and making sure they sign up.
How do I sign up?
Start by clicking the button below and entering your address. We're in the early stages of gathering contact information and gauging interest and will be in touch when we're ready to deploy services.
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There are two kinds of service being provided under the BEAD grant - Fiber Optic and Fixed Wireless - each of these has its own onboarding process.
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Fiber Optic: If your address is in a fiber expansion project area, you'll need trenching work done, and we'll work with you on the timing of your neighborhood's project moving forward.
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Fixed Wireless: This is the no-trenching option, and much of the infrastructure already exists - BEAD will help pay for upgrades to the network that will deliver higher speeds than currently available. You have two options in these areas:
- Get started now, with the understanding that you'll see your speeds increase as network upgrades are completed
- Wait for us to complete the upgrades for your area and we'll reach out when the higher speed is available.
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