U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) announced that Wisconsin will receive $1.05 billion in federal funds. The money will come from the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program. This will connect more Wisconsinites to high-speed internet. Funding comes after Senator Baldwin successfully pushed the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to release an updated National Broadband Map. The updated map provided a better breakdown of broadband availability across Wisconsin. The Baldwin-supported Bipartisan Infrastructure Law created the BEAD program, expanding high-speed internet access. BEAD will focus on communities unserved or underserved by funding planning, infrastructure deployment, and adoption programs.
“I voted for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law because it is helping deliver affordable, reliable high-speed internet to Wisconsin families, students, small businesses, and farmers,” said Senator Baldwin. “No matter where you live in the state, you deserve access to reliable high-speed broadband, and these resources will help us do that. This investment will help close the digital divide so Wisconsinites can fully participate in the economy, kids can get the education they deserve, and families can connect with people across the world. This is an investment in our Wisconsin families. This is an investment in our Made in Wisconsin economy. And this is an investment in our future – and I am proud to help deliver it.”
The funding relies on the FCC’s National Broadband Map to determine areas of need and investment. Wisconsin community members shared that there was faulty data in the FCC’s original National Broadband Map. Senator Baldwin successfully “badgered the FCC” after repeated calls to correct the map’s broadband availability information. This ensured Wisconsin would get its fair share of federal broadband funding in the future.
Under the program, Wisconsin will receive $1,055,823,573.71. There will be two stages of funding awarded to the state. The first 20% with initial competitive sub grants is expected in the summer of 2024. In 2025, the remaining 80% is expected to be awarded. The state will be responsible for administering awarded funds. Priority will go to projects that bring broadband to unserved households and businesses lacking access to high-speed internet.
Leave a Reply