Gov. Tony Evers and the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin on Monday announced a milestone in Wisconsin’s efforts to expand high-speed internet statewide.
On Sept. 3, the PSC submitted the state’s Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program final proposal to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration for approval.
The final proposal provides information about important aspects of the program, includes the results of Wisconsin’s BEAD sub-granting process and details preliminary awards intended to expand access to high-speed internet to more than 174,000 homes and businesses across the state.
The proposal is preliminary and requires NTIA approval before awards can be finalized. Upon NTIA approval, environmental review and final engineering of projects will begin, and infrastructure construction is expected to commence in 2026.
In Wisconsin, the newest round of BEAD Program grants resulted in 411 applications requesting over $2 billion in funds for internet infrastructure projects. Applications were received from 33 qualifying providers, including private internet service providers, Tribal governments and local communications cooperatives.
Additional information on the BEAD Program is available here.
