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 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.
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Currently Accepting Applications for approved applicants
| BEAD BOB Letter of Intent
Open: June 17, 2025
Close: June 30, 2025, 1:30 PM CT |
Docket Number |
5-BD-2025
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Questions Related to Application Process | PSCBEADGrants@wisconsin.gov
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The PSC Fraud, Waste and Abuse Hotline accepts tips and complaints about potential fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement of PSC-administered federal grants. A professional staff member will review your information and determine the appropriate next steps. To report fraud, waste, abuse or mismanagement, please contact the PSC Fraud Hotline at 1-800-225-7729 or 1-608-266-2001 (Local).
PSC Grants System
To apply for a PSC administered grant, applicants must submit an application using the PSC Grants System.
Use the application material below for details on grant eligibility, instructions on application responses and required documentation when submitting an application in the PSC Grants System.
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.
Letter of Intent Re-Opening: The Commission invites new eligible applicants and applicants that were previously denied to submit a BEAD BOB LOI. If an entity's LOI has already been submitted and approved (PSC REF#: 528689), a new BOB LOI is not necessary to participate in the BOB round.
Priority and Non-Priority Technology LOI Application Materials
Who is Eligible to Apply for BEAD Funding
To be eligible to participate in the BEAD sub granting process, applicants must have an approved Letter of Intent (LOI)
BEAD Subgranting Application Information
Application
Resources
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for BEAD Webinar and State Permitting Resources
The Public Service Commission (PSC), Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR), Wisconsin State Historic Preservation Office (WI SHPO) and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) developed a webinar playlist for BEAD applicants and interested stakeholders. The following resources are designed for entities undertaking a BEAD funded broadband deployment project.
Final BEAD Eligible Locations and Final Project Units
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 information, 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.
Federal Guidance Documents and Reference Materials