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The approval of the Texas’ initial BEAD proposal by federal authorities last month completes the initial proposal approval process for all 56 eligible states and territories.

By: Brad Randall, Broadband Communities

With the approval of Texas’ initial Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) proposal, all 56 eligible states and territories have now had their initial proposals approved.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced the news last month and mentioned that Texas has been allocated $3.3 billion to deploy or upgrade internet networks.

While money has not yet reached providers, as has been previously reported, the NTIA reported they have made available “nearly $37 billion in BEAD funding to states and territories.”

According to the Nov. 19 NTIA release, a total of 16 states and territories have finalized their list locations that will be connected with BEAD-supported projects.

Additionally, eight states and territories are “in the process of selecting the internet service providers who will build the networks,” according to the NTIA.

In the release, NTIA Administrator Alan Davidson congratulated the Texas Broadband Development Office for the initial proposal approval.

“Today, Texas can move their Internet for All efforts from planning to action,” he said, adding that it was a “strong proposal.”

The announcement came a day after Louisiana became the first state to release its Final BEAD Proposal for public comment, according to the NTIA.

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