On Friday, the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) announced provisional approval of nearly $800 million Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program funding across the Commonwealth. While the exact locations of the funding have not yet been released, the funding is required to connect unserved and underserved areas to high-speed internet access. The list of companies that will be provisionally awarded funding after approval by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), has been released and is available here. The provisional selections include a mix of technologies, including fiber, hybrid-fiber coaxial, fixed wireless, and low-Earth orbit satellite.  

In addition, PBDA released its final BEAD plan, which is available here for review and public comment until Friday, August 29 at 5 pm. After receiving public comment, the final BEAD plan will be presented to NTIA for final approval by September 4. This is the final step for Pennsylvania to unlock its share of the BEAD funding. PSATS is reviewing the document and will submit comments. If you review the document and have comments, please share them with Holly Fishel at hfishel@psats.org or 717-763-0930 ext. 138. 

“Reliable, high-speed internet is essential for education, health care, and economic opportunity. By posting the proposal for public comment, we’re engaging Pennsylvanians directly in our effort to close the digital divide,” said PBDA Executive Director Carson. “This comment period is a critical step in ensuring transparency and community input before submitting our plan to NTIA.” Click here for the press release.