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All 56 states and territories eligible for BEAD funds have now submitted their final plans for review, according to NTIA.

By Brad Randall, Broadband Communities

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has officially approved Final Proposals for 42 out of 56 states and territories under the $42.45 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program.

Progress for the NTIA’s review of BEAD proposals has been posted for the public, at the NTIA’s Bead Progress Dashboard.

According to NTIA, all 56 eligible entities having now submitted their final plans for review (as of January 16).

“NTIA has committed to completing its review of the Final Proposals within 90 days of submission,” the agency states on the dashboard’s website.

Last year, Louisiana became the first state to sign their BEAD award amendment.

According to federal officials, the recent approvals represent billions of dollars in taxpayer savings.

“We’re getting the job done—at a fraction of the cost,” NTIA Administrator Arielle Roth said last month. “In fact, we estimate the Benefit of the Bargain savings will ultimately reach $21 billion.”

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