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Approximately $48 billion of the funding allocated for broadband and digital equity under the IIJA will be ad- ministered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), with the bulk of the funding flowing to states. This guide is focused on two programs that account for the bulk of the available funds—the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) and Digital Equity Act (DEA) Programs. BEAD and Digital Equity Programs Overview WRITING BROADBAND ACTION AND DIGITAL EQUITY PLANS 4 Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program The $42.5 billion BEAD Program funds states and territories to develop partnerships with communities and various stakeholders to deploy broadband infrastructure in unserved and underserved areas with the goal to get everyone in the United States online. The NTIA will use the new FCC Broadband Data Maps to determine funding allocation amounts for each state and territory. Each state will be responsible for implementing a subgrant program that allocates BEAD funding for the deployment of broadband infrastructure in eligible areas, which include: Unserved Area—Any service area in which 80% or more of the broadband serviceable locations do not have access to Internet service at, or above, 25/3Mbps. Underserved Area—Any service area in which 80% or more of the broadband serviceable locations do not have access to Internet service at, or above, 100/20Mbps. Eligible Service Areas BEAD Planning in Washington The Washington State Broadband Office will be responsible for administering the statewide program under BEAD. To secure Washington’s allocation, WSBO is required to develop a series of plans and proposals, which include a Five-Year Action Plan, Initial Proposal, and Final Proposal. 2023 Step 1: 5-Year Action Plan Step 1: Due 270 days after planning funds received Step 2: Due 180 days after new data maps and notice of fundings amounts issued Step 3: Due 365 days after initial proposal approval Source: National Telecommunications and Information Administration, “The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program: Program Details for Applicants” (webinar, May 2022, https://broadbandusa.ntia.doc.gov/sites/default/files/2022-06/June-1-Webinar-Presentation.pdf 2024 2025 Step 2: Initial Proposal Step 3: Final Proposal