Public Comment Period Open Now for Idaho's Broadband Initial Proposal

The Idaho Broadband Advisory Board and Idaho Office of Broadband have opened a public comment period on the state’s Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program Initial Proposal (Volumes I and II) for the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The state has been working to identify Idaho’s internet needs, challenges and opportunities to develop internet expansion plans. The work is reflected in the state’s draft BEAD Initial Proposal. Volume I establishes the groundwork for the state’s strategy to bring internet to all and identify project areas and locations of interest. Volume II details the plans for distributing deployment funding, workforce and economic development initiatives, tribal coordination, and more. The BEAD Initial Proposal is now posted online for review and comment: Volume 1 here and Volume 2 here. The Idaho Office of Broadband will accept comments submitted to BroadbandComments@Commerce.Idaho.gov from September 29 through October 31. You can learn more on how to submit a public comment here.