Miles SmithArkansas has gotten the green light to proceed with a program involving $1 billion in federal grant funding to further the “Internet for All” program.
The state is being allocated the funding to deploy or upgrade broadband networks to ensure that everyone has access to reliable, affordable, high-speed internet service.
Once deployment goals are met, any remaining funding can be used on high-speed internet adoption, training, and workforce development efforts, among other eligible uses, the Department of Commerce says.
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The department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) recently approved the state’s initial proposal for funding through the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Initiative. The approval enables Arkansas to request access to funding and begin implementation of the BEAD program, the Department of Commerce says.
The BEAD program is a $42.45 billion federal grant program authorized by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
“Arkansas can move its ‘Internet for all’ efforts from planning to action,” Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator Alan Davidson says. “I congratulate the Arkansas State Broadband Office for developing a strong proposal for how they will connect all of their residents to high-speed Internet service.”
BEAD-eligible entities—the 50 states, territories, and the District of Columbia—were required to submit for NTIA’s approval an initial proposal detailing how they plan to spend their BEAD allocation to deliver high-speed Internet access to all unserved and underserved locations within their borders. All states submitted their Initial Proposals by Dec. 27, 2023.
The program mandates that one year from initial proposal approval, states must submit a final proposal that details the outcome of the subgrantee selection process and how the state will ensure universal coverage.
Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash
