WSBO closes Round 2 for Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) applications
WSBO received 202 applications to funding Round 2
The Washington State Broadband Office (WSBO) closed its second-round application period for BEAD funding on May 16, receiving 202 applications. Round 2 included project areas that didn’t receive a preliminary award in the first round.
“We couldn’t be more thankful to all of the participants who showed up for Round 2,” said WSBO Director Aaron Wheeler. “This is another major milestone in Washington’s effort to close the digital divide. BEAD will unlock access to the opportunities that broadband will bring to communities who have been left without the service they need to participate in today’s digital world.”
Round two by the numbers
- 202 applications received
- 70% of BEAD-eligible project areas received at least one bid, representing 70% of Broadband Service Locations (BSLs)
- 32% of BEAD-eligible project areas received two or more bids
Four counties did not receive an application in the second round:
- Grant
- Grays Harbor
- Wahkiakum
- Yakima
Round 3 to begin following expected new federal guidance release
WSBO will open Round 3 after the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) issues new BEAD program guidance, which is expected to be announced soon. Round 3 will include direct negotiation with applicants to complete the work in counties without an applicant.
After completing all three BEAD rounds, WSBO will create a package of potential awardees and send it to the federal government for final approval. Once the NTIA approves, WSBO will formally announce awards and fund BEAD projects statewide. The complete application process is detailed in the BEAD Volume II document.
Eligibility
The BEAD program is open to cooperatives, nonprofit organizations, public-private partnerships, private companies, public or private utilities, public utility districts, and local and tribal governments.
Projects must serve areas identified and approved through the BEAD process. Commerce posted BEAD construction project area maps that detail unserved and underserved locations across the state eligible for BEAD funding. View project area maps.
About BEAD
The BEAD program aims to get all Americans online by funding partnerships between states or territories, tribal nations, communities, internet providers and other stakeholders to increase high-speed internet adoption. The federal program provides over $42 billion for infrastructure planning and implementation nationwide. Learn more about Commerce’s BEAD work on our Internet for All page. There is no federal freeze on BEAD funding, and we continue to partner closely with our federal partners on this work.
Digital equity dashboard
The Washington State Broadband Office launched a Digital Equity Dashboard to help everyone understand the digital divide – that is, the gap between those without access to technology, digital literacy skills and the internet. View the Digital Equity Dashboard.
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