State officials recently discussed plans for the more than $1.16 billion in federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program funding Pennsylvania will receive.
The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) will administer funding and is in the process of creating a five-year action plan for extending broadband infrastructure to communities that lack reliable, affordable, high-speed internet access.
The plan must be submitted to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) by Aug. 12. Once the agency approves the plan, funding will be released next year, and PBDA can award subgrants to eligible applicants.
This summer, community engagement events will be held to solicit feedback. An online survey also will be conducted.
“When Pennsylvanians are connected to reliable broadband, they have better health outcomes, better education outcomes, and better economic outcomes,” Gov. Josh Shapiro said. “That’s why we need to invest in broadband, right now, to grow our economy and strengthen our communities. Accessible, reliable, affordable broadband is important for every community and every family across this Commonwealth – no matter your zip code.”
The PBDA and Penn State Extension identified more than 50,000 locations lacking access to high-speed internet that weren’t included in the federal government’s initial map. The Federal Communications Commission upheld 32,000 locations.