In recognition that broadband access is critical to the residents of Washington, RCW 43.330.532 established the Washington State Broadband Office (WSBO) and tasked it with promoting access and achieving download/upload speed goals for residences, businesses and communities.
WSBO’s mission is 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.
News and updates
WSBO broadband funding
Please visit our Internet for All page and for helpful BEAD grant application information.
View the 2023 Broadband Infrastructure Grant – ARPA Capital award winners (PDF)
- Broadband Infrastructure Grant – ARPA Capital Recipient Handbook (PDF)
- Broadband Infrastructure Grant – ARPA Capital Handbook Forms (BOX)
Application cycle, ratings and the objection process:
- Applicant list, project areas, proposed service delivery speeds and project area maps (PDF)
- Application scores by category (PDF)
- Objections received and WSBO evaluation of the objection (PDF)
- Port of Bellingham – Ziply Challenge Final Decision (PDF)
- Pend Oreille PUD – RTI Challenge Final Decision (PDF)
- Whatcom PUD – Whidbey Telephone Company Challenge Final Decision (PDF)
- Ferry County – Friends of the Television Association of Republic Challenge Final Decision (PDF)
This application cycle would not be possible without the participation of communities, local governments, tribes, and private businesses.
The WSBO is one of 13 projects awarded funding from the NTIA Broadband Infrastructure Program. Washington will receive $30 million for last-mile fiber and last-mile wireless projects that aim to overcome barriers to broadband access and connectivity in five rural counties of the state: Ferry, Jefferson, Kittitas, Okanogan and Stevens, serving an estimated 7,196 unserved households. These counties were selected following through a 2019 assessment – part of our collaborative work between WSBO, Public Works Board and CERB to provide universal high-speed internet access throughout the state by 2024.
Success stories
Congratulations to Hood Canal Communications on the ribbon-cutting for the Northern Hood Canal Fiber Extension in Jefferson County.
The project will provide new fiber optic cable to provide fast, reliable internet service to communities that did not have it before.
Commerce’s Washington State Broadband Office provided a $10 million grant towards the estimated $12.6 million project. The project will provide broadband service to 862 homes.
View the ribbon-cutting event.
This award was part of the WSBO’s $30 million last-mile fiber and last-mile wireless grant. Let’s continue to bridge the digital divide and ensure everyone has access to affordable and reliable broadband in Washington.
Congratulations to Lewis County and ToledoTel on completing their first broadband connection with the Winlock Broadband Expansion project.
Lewis County received $23.5 million from WSBO to complete the work. County leaders marked the milestone with a ribbon-cutting event in early May 2024.
“This is a unique partnership between local government and the private sector that has brought tangible results to the people of Lewis County,” said Scott Brummer, Lewis County Commissioner.
Read the full release for more information about this important work.
Congratulations to the Tri County Economic Development District for the March 2025 groundbreaking of their first significant broadband infrastructure project in central Stevens County!
The Washington State Broadband Office awarded the Central Zone Project a $12 million Broadband Infrastructure Grant in 2023. This work is projected to impact 1,768 Broadband Service Locations (BSLs) in the rural county.
The project will include a hybrid network to bring high-speed broadband to homes, businesses, and critical public safety installations, including six local fire stations. Read their full release.
More broadband funding resources
The Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) and the Public Works Board (PWB) are also dedicated to closing the digital divide. From mapping to planning and construction, we have the resources and technical support to realize the state goal of connecting every household and business.
CERB Rural Broadband (RB)
PWB Broadband Financing
Resources
There is no single “right” answer to how broadband reaches a community. Every community approaches broadband in their own way and at their own pace as resources allow. Here are a few suggested places where you can make local contact to ask about what plans may be in place for your community.
- Contact your local elected officials. Look on your county/city/town website for contact information for commissioners and other elected officials.
- Your community may have a port, and the port may be working on broadband.
- Your community may have a public utility district, and the public utility district may be working on broadband. See if your community has a public utility district.
- The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission may have additional information.
It is the goal of the state of Washington under RCW 43.330.536:
- By 2024: 25/3 megabits per second (Mbps) scalable to all residences and businesses
- By 2026: 1/1 gigabit per second (Gbps) all anchor institutions
- By 2028: 150/150 Mbps all residents and businesses
The survey is currently suspended during the state challenge process.
Broadband Action Teams (BAT) are community-driven collaborations that identify the connectivity and accessibility needs for their communities. A BAT can help a community:
- 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.
Please note that not all counties have an active Bat. Not seeing your BAT on this page? Please email WSBO@Commerce.wa.gov to have your group listed!