The N.C. Department of Information Technology’s (NCDIT) Division of Broadband and Digital Opportunity today announced its draft Final Proposal for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program has been posted for public commentary, as well as its over $400 million in recommended BEAD awards to internet service providers. If approved by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), these federally funded awards will expand high-speed internet access to 93,138 households, businesses and community anchor institutions across the state by 2030.
“This is an important step in our ongoing efforts to address the critical need for reliable, high-speed internet connectivity across North Carolina,” said NCDIT Deputy Secretary for Broadband and Digital Opportunity Annette Taylor. “We are grateful for the strong participation from broadband providers in the BEAD program, especially given the compressed timeline.”
The NTIA shared a BEAD program restructuring notice on June 6 that provides a more technology neutral approach to connectivity solutions and cost savings, while also requiring all states to complete their subgrantee selection by Sept. 4. The BEAD Final Proposal includes the division’s award recommendations for high-speed internet projects following its subgrantee selection processes completed in July and August. The Final Proposal also describes the state’s progress in implementing the previously approved Initial Proposal Volume 1, which outlines North Carolina’s strategies for identifying all locations eligible for BEAD funding, and Volume 2, which provides the specific actions to be taken to close the digital divide.
The division invites all stakeholders to provide feedback on the draft BEAD Final Proposal by Sept. 4. View the draft Final Proposal and the contingent funding awards at ncbroadband.gov/BEADFinalProposal.
Comments should be submitted to BEAD@nc.gov with the following details:
- Commenter’s name
- Commenter’s organization
- If the organization is a public entity (Yes/No)
- Which Final Proposal section or attachment this comment addresses (e.g., Section 6.1)
- Comment
After reviewing all commentary and refining the document, the division will submit the Final Proposal to NTIA by Sept. 4 with the recommended BEAD funding awards to internet service providers. All awards are contingent upon NTIA approval.
The division anticipates federal review and approval by late fall and will make official awards at that time.
These BEAD awards add to the nearly $675 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds the division has already awarded to connect more than 250,000 homes and businesses across the state to high-speed internet.
For more information about the NCDIT Division of Broadband and Digital Opportunity and the BEAD program, please visit ncbroadband.gov.