What is it? How do we benefit?
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for all residents to have access to high-speed Internet. To help ensure all Americans have access to high-speed Internet, the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program was passed by the U.S. Congress. The program provides $42.45 billion* to build-out high-speed Internet throughout the entire country. Arizona’s portion is $993.1 million. The State Arizona determines how the funds will be spent and which broadband projects will move forward. While the State of Arizona has sole authority over the funds, they are partnering with counties, municipalities, tribal governments, and more to ensure funds are directed to areas that are most in need.
Arizona was awarded $993.1 million in federal funding to build infrastructure and expand internet access in rural and historically underserved communities. The BEAD Program rules require states to prioritize funds in this order:
1. Connect Unserved Locations (available service is 25/3 Megabits per second or less)
2. Connect Underserved locations (available service is at least 25/3 Mbps but less than 100/20 Mbps)
3. Connect Community Anchor Institutions to gigabit symmetrical service (1,000/1,000 Mbps)