The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program is Washington’s initiative for ensuring that every community has reliable, affordable broadband service. Through this program, the state will invest in infrastructure, support local and Tribal partnerships, and strengthen digital opportunity efforts so that all residents not only have access to high speed internet, but also the tools, resources, and skills needed to fully participate in today’s digital world.
BEAD resources
View the BEAD NEPA RFP – Soliciting proposals for environmental support services
The Washington State Broadband Office (WSBO) is soliciting proposals for environmental support services with funding from the National Telecommunications Information Association’s (NTIA) BEAD program. The application period closed on Feb. 2, 2026.
These updated BEAD construction project area maps detailing unserved and underserved locations across the state. These maps will provide the state with a foundation as we work to build Internet for All to Washington.
Small changes in the maps may still come, as final approval from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is still pending.
NEPA/Permitting
- Permitting Roundtables Interagency Collaboration Update (PDF)
- Smart Start NEPA Compliance for BEAD (PDF)
- Permitting and Environmental Information Mapping Application (PDF)
- FAQ NEPA for BEAD (PDF)
- The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation Program Comment for Federal Communications Projects Flowchart (PDF)
Review the plan documents
Volume II of the Initial Proposal details 16 requirements addressing the planning process, the sub-grantee selection process, and other requirements associated with using BEAD funding. Volume I details the additional four requirements, and it’s public comment period closed on Nov. 10, 2023.
The public comment period for Volume II ended on Nov. 30, 2023. Review the public comments we received in the Initial Proposal Volume II Public Comment Report (PDF).
The public comment period for Washington’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program (BEAD) DRAFT Initial Proposal Volume I closed on Nov. 10, 2023. Review the public comments we received in the Initial Proposal Volume I Public Comment Report (PDF).
Building upon ongoing digital inclusion efforts, extensive public engagement efforts, and insight from local and tribal governments in Washington, the WSBO is releasing this final Initial Proposal Volume I. Volume I contains information from four of 20 Initial Proposal requirements.
Volume II of the Initial Proposal details the additional 16 requirements addressing the planning process, the sub-grantee selection process, and other requirements associated with using BEAD funding. It is also posted on this page and its public comment period closed on Nov. 30, 2023.
We will conduct a required state challenge process during the spring of 2024. This process will provide a formal avenue to capture challenges to a Broadband Service Location (BSL) status as “served,” “underserved” or “unserved.”
- Read more about the challenge process and the licensing required to participate
- View the Feb. 1 challenge process webinar
The Washington State Broadband Office developed a Digital Equity Plan after a robust public engagement period and planning process to capture Washington state’s diverse voices and identify the needs and barriers to connecting Washingtonians across the state.
Washington state’s BEAD 5-Year Action Plan serves as the foundational comprehensive needs assessment that will inform the subsequent planning elements required by the National Telecommunications Administration (NTIA) under the Internet for All program. The BEAD Five Year Action Plan public comment period is now closed. The five-year plan has been submitted and accepted by NTIA. We are considering all comments and suggestions as we finalize the Draft Initial Proposal Volume I, Draft Initial Proposal Volume II, and the Digital Equity Plan.
Additional resources
We will host BEAD updates with a Q&A opportunity every month. These webinars will be hosted via Zoom and explain the efforts to expand affordable and reliable Internet access to everyone in the state, while giving you a platform to submit comments and questions. Register for upcoming BEAD webinars (on Zoom).
Previous session recordings
- Watch the Office Hours recording for April 8, 2026 Password: &f0R#T4*
- Watch the Office Hours recording for March 18, 2026 Password: ww%4ffa
- Watch the Office Hours recording for Feb. 11, 2026 Password: a3S8VE&*
- Watch the Office Hours recording for Jan 14, 2026 Password: V%4r=cRE
- Watch the Office Hours recording for Dec. 3, 2025 Password: 93hiK?r2
- Watch the Office Hours recording for Nov. 5, 2025 Password: ^h7^B%VX
- Watch the Office Hours recording for Oct. 8, 2025 Password: D%Wrv63v
- Watch the Office Hours recording for Sept. 24, 2025 Password: #oN0=$E9
- Watch the Office Hours recording for Sept. 10, 2025 Password: 2&Qy0Mi5
- Watch the Office Hours recording for Aug. 13, 2025 Password: jMx?717A
- Watch the Office Hours recording for July 30, 2025 Password: 6y=m9^$K
- We experienced a technical issue that prevented us from recording the July 16, 2025, Office Hours.
- Watch the Office Hours recording for July 2, 2025 Password: 3.tP=5E0
- Watch the Office Hours recording for June 18, 2025 Password: &3Jpc?D?
- Watch the Office Hours recording for May 21, 2025 Password: ?+lb^5A5
- Watch the Office Hours recording for May 7, 2025 Password: #G?!I6Vp
- Watch the Office Hours recording for April 23, 2025 Password: GBg@43c?
- Watch the Office Hours recording for April 9, 2025 Password: B42LhJ?u
- Watch the Office Hours recording for March 26, 2025 Password: e$5B9P9k
- Watch the Office Hours recording for March 12, 2025 Password: *A%vg00w
- Watch the Office Hours recording for Feb. 26, 2025 Password: +r!Vmz6*
- Watch the Office Hours recording for Feb. 12, 2025 Password: X9p970n$
- Watch the Office Hours recording for Jan. 29, 2025 Password: n=j^FE57
- Watch the Office Hours recording for Jan. 22, 2025 Password: 7XSYl&3=
- Watch the Office Hours recording for Jan. 15, 2025 Password: W^nR42Bz
- 2023-2024 Webinar Links (PDF)
WSBO’s Broadband Equity Unit (BEU) hosts a monthly spotlight series highlighting ongoing programs, partnerships and work to improve access to broadband equity across Washington State. Every month, BEU will seek community feedback on a broadband equity topic impacting ongoing programmatic work. Register for upcoming BEU Spotlight webinars (on Zoom). We also have a Spotlight meeting survey you can fill out to request future presentations.
Previous session recordings
- Watch the July 15, 2025 Broadband Equity Spotlight Recording Passcode: x!o9p!2V
- Watch the June 17, 2025 Broadband Equity Spotlight Recording Passcode: b%sLiVY5
- Watch the May 20, 2025 Broadband Equity Spotlight Recording Passcode: s8NuAu#P
- Watch the April 15, 2025 Broadband Equity Spotlight Recording Passcode: Q.3B9mDd
- Watch the March 18, 2025 Broadband Equity Spotlight Recording Password: $ue!8r@G
- Digital Equity Capacity Grants Update (PDF)
- Washington’s BEAD Challenge Page
- ACP Winding Down
- Low Earth Orbit Satellite Feasibility Report (PDF)
- BEAD Timeline (PDF)
- Internet for All in Washington kickoff video (on YouTube)
- Internet for All in Washington kickoff presentation (PDF)
- Internet for All in Washington Kickoff Event Transcript English (Word)
- Internet for All in Washington Kickoff Event Transcript Spanish (Word)
- Inside Olympia interviews Director Mark Vasconi on Internet for All (on TVW.Org)
Translated resources
- Digital Equity Plan One Pager (PDF)
- El Plan de Equidad Digital también está disponible en Español (Word)
- Kế hoạch công bằng kỹ thuật số cũng có sẵn bằng tiếng Việt (Word)
- Mayroon ding Digital Equity Plan na nasa wikang Tagalog (Word)
- 数字股权计划还提供 中文 版本 (Word)
- 數字股權計劃還提供 中文 版本 (Word)
- План цифрового равенства также доступен на русский язык (Word)
What federal funding is available to invest in expanding high-speed internet access?
The Biden-Harris Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) provides $65 billion in funding for high-speed internet efforts through multiple federal grant programs. Each eligible entity, including states and territories, will conduct their own planning and program development using funds from these grants.
The BIL funnels a high percentage of broadband funding into broadband infrastructure and digital equity through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program and the Digital Equity programs. These programs will provide more than $48 billion for infrastructure deployment, internet installation, digital equity programs, workforce development and training, digital literacy and skills education, and the adoption of high-speed internet to connect Americans with their communities, their democracy, and the economy. The state of Washington is focusing its efforts in completing the required planning for these programs. These planning efforts will establish eligibility for funds that will deliver results for all who call Washington home. The final amount of total federal funding will be calculated through a formula allocation based on the number of unserved and underserved residences and businesses in the state.
What are the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) and Digital Equity programs?
The BEAD program, as defined by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), is “a program to get all Americans online by funding partnerships between states or territories, communities, and stakeholders to build infrastructure where we need it and to increase adoption of high-speed internet.” The program provides $42.45 billion for infrastructure planning and implementation nationwide.
The Digital Equity programs provide $2.75 billion in nationwide funding to promote digital inclusion and advance equity for all by engaging communities to build their capabilities in accessing and utilizing affordable, reliable high-speed Internet to meet their needs and improve their living standards.
For more information on the BEAD and Digital Equity programs and other broadband related federal funding programs visit the federal Internet for All website.
What does this mean for Washington State?
Broadband access is essential for everyday activities such as working from home, remote learning, telehealth, staying connected to communities, and social interaction. That is why the Broadband Office strives to improve both the adoption and availability of broadband services for Washington State residents.
Unfortunately, affordable, reliable, high-speed Internet has remained inaccessible to some communities in the United States, restricting their ability to have the information technology capacity needed for full participation in our society. According to the 2017-2021 United States Census Bureau, 91 percent of households in Washington have a broadband Internet subscription, which still translates to roughly 264,000 households that have not adopted broadband services.
Given this, Internet for All in Washington plans must involve any of these three parts:
- Expanding access of broadband networks
- Encouraging adoption by individuals, families & businesses who do not currently have internet
- Securing affordable internet services
Access ensures Americans have access to high-quality, high-speed internet services to support full participation in the 21st century economy and beyond. Affordability supports the use of broadband services, especially in low-income households, which can foster a system that promotes long-term, sustainable, and affordable solutions. Adoption and digital literacy skill building makes investments to ensure Americans can participate in economy & society, reducing inequities across sectors, including healthcare, workforce & education. The delivery of resources and programs to unserved and underserved areas of the state will have a customer centric approach that will be local in its approach, yet regional in its delivery.
How can I get involved?
The Broadband Office strives to integrate the diverse voices of Washington State throughout the planning process that help ensure equitable, scalable, and sustainable outcomes. To emphasize these efforts into the planning process, the Broadband Office will organize a comprehensive public involvement plan to collect input and insight from stakeholders.
Washington State residents will have opportunities and platforms to voice their comments, concerns, and lived experiences relating to internet access and digital inclusion. There will be multiple in person and hybrid listening sessions and focus groups across the state. Internet for All in Washington will also be surveying the population to discover gaps and opportunities related to broadband services within the state. Tribal coordination and consultation will also be essential.
To assist in the statewide planning efforts, WSBO has partnered with Washington State University (WSU) Extension to aid in local level efforts to gather community input and develop local plans. WSU Extension are focusing this work through coordination with Broadband Action Team (BAT) regional offices and outreach programs. You can view their calendar, including their workshops, office hours, and community meetings, by visiting the WSU Extension Broadband Resources page.
A key part of the Internet for All planning process is listening to the feedback of Washington residents as we go. Draft and final planning documents will be posted here as they become available for public review. Your comments are strongly encouraged.