Federal approval clears the way for historic broadband infrastructure investment
OLYMPIA, Wash. — The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) approved Washington’s final Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program proposal, clearing the way for the Washington State Broadband Office (WSBO) to begin awarding $736 million in federal funding and $112 million in state match funding to bring high-speed internet to every part of the state. That combines with other sources for more than a billion in total funding to support broadband expansion.
The approval is a significant milestone in Washington’s efforts to close the digital divide and ensure that every resident has access to reliable, high-speed internet. BEAD projects will bring about 166,500 businesses and households online over the next four years in Washington.
“This approval means that more than a billion dollars in funding can begin connecting tens of thousands of households and businesses,” said Commerce Interim Director Sarah Clifthorne. “This marks a new chapter for addressing our state’s digital access needs and we’re eager to get started.”
Construction timelines vary by project, but all construction must be completed within four years. WSBO anticipates that some projects will break ground this year. The WSBO will monitor subgrantees and oversee project funding, protecting the dollars from potential waste, fraud, and abuse. It will review subgrantees at least annually to ensure they are on track, and more often if needed.
“This is a transformative moment for Washington,” said WSBO Director Jordan Arnold, who joined Commerce in January. “For rural and underserved communities, internet access is a lifeline to economic opportunity, education, health care, and the modern world.”
The next step is beginning contracting and construction on the projects, which include fiber, fixed wireless and low-earth satellite. There are 238 project areas in under- and unserved locations across the state.
This approval follows Washington’s submission of its Final Proposal in September. The proposal outlined the state’s strategy for awarding funds to Internet Service Providers (ISPs), Public Utility Districts (PUDs), cooperatives, tribes, and other organizations that will build and expand broadband infrastructure across underserved and unserved areas. View the full list of approved awardees.
BEAD by the numbers
Federal BEAD investment: $736,319,365
State match funding for public entities and tribes: $112,357,141
Private match funding: $163,462,118
Federal match funding: $47,176
In-kind contributions: $7,804,739
Total public and private BEAD investment: $1,019,990,539
Project areas: 238
- Tribal: 9
- Non-tribal: 229
Homes and small businesses to be connected: 166,503 (approximately 5.3% of Washington households)
- Unserved locations: 76%
- Underserved locations: 24%
Technology types
- Fiber: 58,530 Broadband Serviceable Locations (BSLs) – 35%
- Fixed Wireless: 63,641 BSLs – 38%
- Low-Earth Orbit Satellite: 44,332 BSLs – 27%
What happens next
With NTIA approval secured, WSBO will:
- Formally announce awards to provisional awardees;
- Execute subgrantee agreements with approved providers;
- Oversee permitting and environmental reviews;
- Begin construction oversight and monitoring;
- Work with awardees to ensure projects are completed on schedule and within budget.
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.
BEAD is an infrastructure investment program, meaning it will result in connections to sites that haven’t had them before, and service customers will pay for the monthly service. Recent federal updates to BEAD policies do not allow the program to implement affordability requirements.
About the Washington State Broadband Office
The Washington State Broadband Office, housed within the Department of Commerce, leads the state’s efforts to expand broadband access and adoption. The office administers federal and state broadband programs, coordinates with stakeholders, and develops strategies to ensure all Washingtonians have access to affordable, reliable high-speed internet.