Overview
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law created the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program with a goal of providing high-speed internet for all Wisconsinites. BEAD will support the deployment of fiber and other qualifying internet technology that provides service of 100/20 Megabits per second (Mbps) download/upload to all households and businesses in Wisconsin that lack access to 100/20 Mbps.
Wisconsin is allocated $1,055,823,574 through a formula based on the state's proportion of locations lacking access to broadband service, calculated using Federal Communications Commission (FCC) maps. For more details on this allocation, please visit the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's (NTIA) press release.
Jump to Section
Currently Accepting Applications for Letter of Intent
| No
Deadline: October 1, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. CST
|
Docket Number |
5-BD-2025
|
|
Questions Related to Application Process | PSCBEADGrants@wisconsin.gov
|
Letter of Intent Materials
The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Letter of Intent (LOI) is the first phase for interested entities in the BEAD subgrantee selection process. The LOI will serve to evaluate an applicant's technical, financial, operation and managerial capacity and will inform the Commission about the capability of prospective participants to comply with the BEAD program requirements and meet necessary standards and qualifications. The LOI is a required pre-qualification for participating in the grant program, which opens after the LOI.
Preliminary BEAD Eligible Locations and Draft Project Units
Who is Eligible to Apply
To be eligible to participate in the BEAD sub granting process, LOI applicants must minimally (1) agree to propose projects that will provide at least 100/20 Mbps service reliable, qualifying broadband service to all locations within the required timeline; (2) demonstrate the technical, financial, operational and managerial capacity to deploy eligible broadband projects and participate in the BEAD program; (3) agree to meet the mandated financial and programmatic requirements; (4) agree to meet the mandated ownership and organizational requirements: and (5) certify ability to comply with all applicable requirements mandated by NTIA, the Commission and 2 CFR 200 Uniform Guidance.
BEAD Resources and Guidance
The Initial Proposal describes the process by which Wisconsin intends to use BEAD funding to ensure that every resident and business has access to reliable, affordable, and high-speed broadband connection. The Public Service Commission submitted the BEAD Initial Proposal to NTIA in two volumes. NTIA approved Volume 2 on July 29th, 2024.
The Commission operated the BEAD Challenge process to determine the locations eligible for BEAD grants. For more infomation, see the
BEAD Process Page.
For more information on the Wisconsin BEAD Five-Year Action Plan and timeline for BEAD implementation, see the
Internet for All webpage.
Commission Implementation Documents
Federal Guidance Documents and Reference Materials
Other Resources
-
University of Wisconsin - Division of Extension
-
Wisconsin Department of Transportation
PSC Grants System
To apply for a PSC administered grant, applicants must submit an application using the PSC Grants System.
Use the application material specific to the grant program for details on grant eligibility, instructions on application responses and required documentation when submitting an application in the PSC Grants System.
Getting
Started in the PSC Grants System