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There’s a lot of BEAD data to breakdown, but Connected Nation’s BEAD Tracker tackles the challenge, providing state-by-state deep dives into final proposal submission data.

By Brad Randall, Broadband Communities

If you’re looking for an all-in-one resource to follow updates with the government’s $42.45 billion broadband push, known as BEAD, look no further. Connected Nation has you covered.

The organization’s online BEAD Tracker aggregates data pulled from final proposals submitted by states and territories. The tracker includes key data from 95% of states and territories, Connected Nation announced last week.

Colin Reilly, a VP of data strategy and technical services with Connected Nation, said states and territories were forced to reassess BEAD spending plans following revised guidance issued from Washington.

“We are now seeing the results of that,” Reilly said.

Reilly encouraged folks to use Connected Nation’s BEAD Tracker to review how the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program will impact your area.

“That includes tracking the technology type, providers awarded funds, and much more,” Reilly said.

According to Connected Nation, among the 54 proposals considered by the tracker, nearly 4 million locations are to be served by BEAD-funded deployments nationwide.

Deployment costs have also exceeded $20 billion, the tracker reports. That number, however, remains well below the funding available, that was originally appropriated by Congress with the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in 2021.

Chris McGovern, the director of research development at Connected Nation, said the BEAD tracker dashboard allows taxpayers to see how their funds are being used.

“The ability to see the data like this lets you easily monitor and compare how states and territories are approaching their BEAD plans,” McGovern said. “It lets you see how our tax dollars are being spent to help homes, community anchor institutions, and businesses get connected.”

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