High-speed internet access is a necessity. It helps to ensure public health and safety, increases opportunities for businesses and workers, and provides equal access for students.
The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program is providing $42.45 billion for states, territories, the District of Columbia (D.C.), and Puerto Rico (P.R.) to use for broadband deployment, mapping, and adoption projects.
Pennsylvania was awarded $1.16 billion in federal BEAD funding. This funding will support the buildout of broadband infrastructure to reach the remaining unserved and underserved locations across the Commonwealth.
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) approved $711 million in funds, awarded to construct high-speed internet projects across all 67 counties.
The below outlines anticipated next steps of the BEAD Program process. Please note that this may be updated as necessary.
The BEAD Final Proposal provides a list of NTIA provisionally approved projects for funding under the BEAD Program.
February 4, 2026 | The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) approved PBDA’s BEAD Final Proposal.
March 6, 2026 | The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) approved PBDA’s BEAD Final Proposal.
September 4, 2025 | The PBDA submitted the Draft BEAD Final Proposal to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).
August 22, 2025 | The PBDA sought comments to the Draft BEAD Final Proposal.
August 29, 2025 | The Draft BEAD Final Proposal comment period closed.
August 6, 2025 | The PBDA sought comments to the proposed BEAD Template Agreement to standardize terms and conditions to the fullest extent possible, to facilitate transparency, and to avoid delay with negotiations with individual grantees.
August 13, 2025 | The BEAD Template Agreement comment period closed.
July 1, 2025 | Applications opened, and Broadband service providers were eligible to apply for BEAD funding.
August 31, 2025 | Applications closed for BEAD funding.
June 6, 2025 | The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) released the BEAD Restructuring Policy Notice , which outlines significant changes to program requirements and how states must conduct the subgrantee selection process. As a result, the PBDA deferred all Round One BEAD applications to Round Two.
Federal guidance required the completion of an Initial Proposal: Volume I & Volume II.
October 27, 2023 | The Initial Proposal Volume I was submitted for approval. It outlines existing broadband funding, unserved/underserved Broadband Serviceable Locations (BSLs), Community Anchor Institutions, as well as the challenge process for BEAD funding.
December 8, 2024 | The Initial Proposal Volume II was submitted for approval. It outlines local coordination efforts, subgrantee selection process, implementation activities, labor standards and workforce readiness, low-cost service options, middle-class affordability, and more.
February 14, 2024 | Volume I was approved.
June 28, 2024 | Volume II was approved.
August 11, 2023 | To meet federal requirements, the PBDA completed the 5-Year Action Plan, which informs both residents and partners of the Commonwealth’s efforts to bridge our digital divide.
October 6, 2023 | The plan was approved.
June 2023 | Governor Josh Shapiro announced that Pennsylvania will receive more than $1.16 billion in federal funding under the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act (IIJA).
If you have any questions about the BEAD program you may contact us at ra-dcpbda_bead@pa.gov
