Wisconsin has awarded nearly $58 million for broadband infrastructure projects that will expand high-speed Internet access to more than 18,000 homes, businesses and other locations across the state.
Gov. Tony Evers and the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin announced funding for 46 projects through the State Broadband Expansion Grant Program, which supports Internet infrastructure development in communities lacking adequate service.
The projects will use technologies including fiber-optic networks and fixed wireless systems to provide new or improved broadband connections.
The latest awards are intended to reach communities that are not covered by the federally funded Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program while improving service in areas that lack Internet speeds of at least 100 megabits per second (Mbps) for downloads and 20 Mbps for uploads.
For the first time, the Wisconsin Broadband Office and grant applicants used the Federal Communications Commission’s nationwide Broadband Serviceable Location dataset to identify eligible locations and direct funding toward areas with the greatest need.
The new grants follow a competitive application process that attracted substantially more requests than the available funding.
The commission received 93 applications seeking more than $160 million, exceeding available funding by approximately $100 million.
PSC Chairperson Summer Strand said the demand demonstrates the continuing need for broadband infrastructure investments, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
The 2026 funding round draws on unspent and returned money from previous broadband grant awards, along with revenue allocated to the program through the state’s Universal Service Fund.
Wisconsin’s Legislature has not approved new state funding for broadband expansion in either of the past two biennial budgets, according to the governor’s office.
Strand said the latest awards could represent the final round of State Broadband Expansion Grants unless lawmakers authorize additional funding.
Despite previous state and federal investments, significant broadband coverage gaps remain.
The Wisconsin Broadband Office estimates that at least 30,000 locations remain without adequate high-speed Internet service after accounting for areas expected to receive improved fiber or fixed wireless connections through BEAD and other programs.
The newly funded projects are expected to reduce that number, although additional infrastructure investment will be needed to reach remaining unserved locations.
Since 2019, broadband investments supported by the Evers administration have provided or are expected to provide new or improved high-speed internet service to more than 428,000 homes and businesses statewide, according to the governor’s office.
The latest awards will contribute to that total as projects are completed.
The State Broadband Expansion Grant Program is designed to support infrastructure deployment in areas where limited customer density, high construction costs or other financial barriers can make private broadband investment difficult.
The commission has not announced completion dates for all 46 projects.
Photo by Jakub Zerdzicki from Pexels
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