Washington State Broadband Office

-A Collaborative Effort

icon of speed test

State Broadband Access and Speed Survey

Help us identify low or no high-speed internet service areas in Washington state

Image that says go

In 2019, the Washington State Legislature enacted Second Substitute Senate Bill 5511, recognizing that broadband access is critical to the residents of Washington. The legislation established access and download/upload speed goals for residences, businesses and communities.

Our Mission
To enrich the lives of all Washington state residents and businesses by ensuring they have access to affordable, reliable, redundant and scalable/future proof broadband technologies ensuring the economic viability of both urban and rural Washington state today and into the future:

  • By 2024: 25/3 Mbps scalable;
  • By 2026 – 1/1 Gbps all anchor institutions; and
  • By 2028: 150/150 Mbps all residents and businesses.

Funding opportunities

The State Broadband Office currently has funding opportunities open. 

Infrastructure Acceleration Grants

State Broadband Matching Grants

Municipal Retail Broadband

The Washington state legislature recently enacted two bills related to public entities’ provision of retail telecommunications services to help bridge the digital divide. This enables public entities, including not-for-profit, community-owned public utility districts to provide retail broadband service to end-users, creating another pathway to connect Washington citizens and communities to essential broadband service.

Click Here to learn the full requirements

Emergency Broadband Benefit Program

Logo of the Federal Communication Commission's Emergency Broadband Benefit program

The upcoming Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) will provide a discount of up to $50 per month towards broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on Tribal lands. In addition, eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute $10-$50 toward the purchase price.

EBB Documents

EBB Program Guide

This Emergency Broadband Benefit Program Guide is a resource for providers of low-income services who are working with individuals who may qualify for the EBB program. This guide includes information on program benefits, how to apply and where to learn more about specific EBBP topics.
EBBP Program Guide (PDF)

EBBP Consumer Rights and Tips Notice

This notice is to help EBB Program participants and prospective participants avoid predatory activity related to the program and unexpected charges for internet service when the program ends.
EBBP Consumer Notice (PDF)

EBBP Tribal Letter (PDF)
How to apply for the Emergency Broadband Benefit (PDF)
Washington State Broadband Office EBB Program fact sheet (PDF)

EBB Program Links

Search for Emergency Broadband Benefit providers in your area (web)
List of Emergency Broadband Benefit Providers in Washington (web)
Federal Communication Commission’s EBB webpage (web)
USAC Emergency Broadband Benefit Program Adoption Enrollments and Claims Tracker (web)

Program Contact

EBBinfo@commerce.wa.gov

Drive-in WiFi Hotspots Location Finder

Drive in WiFi sign

In response to the impacts of COVID-19, Drive-In WiFi Hotspots provide free temporary, emergency internet access for Washingtonians who do not have broadband service to their homes. Visit the location finder.

Broadband Action Teams Information

Broadband Action Teams (BAT) are community-driven collaborations that identify the connectivity and accessibility needs for their communities. A BAT can help a community to:

Centralize the broadband conversation and direct engagement to the State Broadband Office.

Assist statewide digital equity and inclusion efforts and represent community technology and accessibility needs.

  • Connect participants to collaborative project goals.
  • Bring early awareness of community projects to funding opportunities.

Click here to view the current BAT List

Not seeing your BAT on this page? Please email devin.gombosky@commerce.wa.gov to have your group represented here!”

E-mail updates


Email Updates
To sign up for updates from the Washington Statewide Broadband Office, just enter your e-mail below.

Resources

Broadband Access and Speed Survey Results
Broadband Access and Speed Survey
Drive-in WiFi Hotspot Finder
Broadband FAQs
Safety Tips For Using Public WiFi
State Broadband Office 2020 Report
Broadband In Washington 2019
Feedback

Broadband funding

Public Works Board – State Broadband Infrastructure Funding
CERB – Rural Broadband Construction and Planning Funding  
2.5 GHz Rural Tribal Window: How to File
USDA ReConnect Loan and Grant Program
ReConnect Program Eligible Area Map
USDA Community Connect Grants  
USDA Distance Learning & Telemedicine Grants
NTIA Comprehensive Guide to Federal Broadband Funding  

Tools

Public Works Board – Statewide Broadband Planning Assessment Survey
Community Broadband Kit (web) (PDF)

Need help?

Devin Gombosky, Administrative Assistant devin.gombosky@commerce.wa.gov 

(360) 688-3472