State Leaders Discuss Funds for Broadband Expansion

Thursday, October 27th, 2022 -- 11:00 AM

(By Danielle Kaeding, Wisconsin Public Radio) Government and industry stakeholders met Tuesday to discuss how Wisconsin can best spend up to $1.2 billion the state may receive for expanding high-speed internet.

According to Danielle Kaeding with Wisconsin Public Radio, the funding comes as around 1.3 million people in Wisconsin still can’t access or afford broadband service. Wisconsin could receive anywhere from $700 million to $1.2 billion as part of grants available through the Broadband Equity, Access & Deployment, or BEAD, Program.

The $42.45 billion program was established by the bipartisan infrastructure law, which set aside $65 billion to expand broadband internet nationwide. The program is among several funding opportunities announced by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, or NTIA, under the U.S. Department of Commerce.

It’s part of President Joe Biden’s "Internet for All" initiative announced in May, and Wisconsin will receive a minimum of $100 million under the law. "This funding will go to help build out broadband networks to make sure that people who live particularly in rural areas have access to high-speed internet," said Kevin Gallagher, senior advisor to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce.

"We also expect that funding can be used for digital literacy and adoption activities, affordability programs to help families in Wisconsin who are struggling to pay their internet bill."

Gallagher is among government, tribal and industry officials who took part in a workshop in Stevens Point hosted by NTIA and the Wisconsin Public Service Commission or PSC. The workshop is part of efforts to develop a statewide five-year plan for funding.

The Federal Communications Commission, or FCC, will award money to states based on the number of unserved and underserved residents. In Wisconsin, around 650,000 residents lack access to high-speed internet or speeds of 25 megabits per second download and 3 megabits per second upload.

The Wisconsin Broadband Office also estimates another 650,000 people statewide can’t afford broadband.

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