Mapping State BEAD Challenge Processes

Before implementing their BEAD programs, every state and territory broadband office will have one last chance to update the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) new broadband availability maps by running their own challenge process. This will be the final step in determining which areas are eligible for a BEAD-funded project. In a new publication, we have broken down the fundamentals of why these BEAD challenge processes matter, who can participate, and how it works. To go a bit further into the weeds here, we’ve taken a look at every state and territory’s Initial Proposal Volume 1 and mapped out what their process may look like (subject to NTIA’s approval). These challenge windows will be a critical step to allow broadband offices to correct gaps in the FCC's map and adapt to the eligibility of BEAD. I urge anyone interested in ensuring states are working off of accurate information before deploying $42 billion to look to their state broadband office for the precise details on how and when to participate.