See Where BEAD Money Is Going in Each State

Access to reliable and affordable high-speed internet remains a pressing need across the U.S., especially in states with higher rural populations. The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program aims to address the connectivity gap between those who have access and those who don’t. The program—passed as part of the November 2021 bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act—sets aside $42.5 billion in federal funds for expanding broadband infrastructure. In June 2023, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced how it would split the funding per state. Reviews.org has taken a closer look into how the funds are distributed and the reasons behind the larger allocations. Key findings:

• Over 60% of the total broadband funding goes towards states with large rural populations.
• The states with the most funding per resident include Alaska, West Virginia, Wyoming, Montana, and Mississippi, with an average of $730 per resident.
• The states with the lowest funding per resident include Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and Maryland, with an average of $33 per resident.
• Texas is allocated the highest funding overall, with over $3 billion in total BEAD funding.