How the FCC National Broadband Map Impacts the BEAD Program, Part 2 of 3: The Role of States and Territories in Selecting Locations Eligible for BEAD Funding

One of the primary uses of the Federal Communications Commission's National Broadband Map for the purposes of the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program is the allocation process – the process of determining the amount of BEAD funds between the states, territories, and the District of Columbia (“Eligible Entities”). The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) requires each Eligible Entity to determine the locations and community anchor institutions within its jurisdiction that are eligible for BEAD funding and conduct a process to validate and finalize those eligibility determinations.  This process is designed to give each Eligible Entity the flexibility to enable infrastructure projects that will have the most impact on the ground. The FCC National Broadband Map is the foundation of this effort, but Eligible Entities are not restricted to using the FCC National Broadband Map alone. Step one in this process is for Eligible Entities to develop a state map, using the FCC National Broadband Map as a foundation. Step two is the challenge process.  Eligible Entities must initially allow local and tribal governments, nonprofits, and Internet service providers to challenge whether service is available at a given location. This process has two major benefits: 

1. Stakeholders will have another opportunity to challenge the availability of service at a given broadband serviceable location so that all unserved and underserved locations are connected.  
2. BEAD program funding will be directed to locations that are not receiving other funding to provide qualifying broadband, thereby maximizing the federal investment.  

In short, the National Broadband Map provides the foundation for determining where Eligible Entities will deploy BEAD funding, but each Eligible Entity will be able to tailor its own BEAD challenge process to ensure that the final list of eligible locations is accurate and appropriate. The NTIA strongly recommends that interested parties participate in these processes to ensure their views are taken into account.  

[05/05/2023]