On May 13th, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) issued Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs) for more than $44 billion in federal funding to the following three programs:
- The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program ($42.5 billion);
- The Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Grant Program ($1 billion); and
- The State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program ($60 million).
Additional details about these three grant programs are below.
Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program (BEAD) ($42.5 billion)
Funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, BEAD is a federal grant program that aims to get all Americans online by funding partnerships between states or territories, communities, and stakeholders to build infrastructure where we need it to and increase adoption of high-speed internet. BEAD prioritizes unserved locations that have no internet access or that only have access under 25/3 Mbps and underserved locations only have access under 100/20 Mbps.
Enabling Middle Mile Broadband Infrastructure Program ($1 billion)
Funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the MM Program is a program to expand middle mile infrastructure, to reduce the cost of connecting unserved and underserved areas. Middle mile infrastructure broadly refers to the mid-section of Internet infrastructure that carries large amounts of data at high speeds over long distances. This program will also increase the resilience of Internet infrastructure.
State Digital Equity Act programs ($1.5 billion)
Funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Digital Equity Act Programs are planning and implementation programs that provide funding to promote digital inclusion and advance equity for all. They aim to ensure that all communities can access and use affordable, reliable high-speed internet to meet their needs and improve their lives. The three programs include two state formula programs and one competitive program.
Contact MRL today @ 405-842-2405 or send us an email to assist you with your efforts.