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Nebraska is the latest state to gain approval from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) for their initial Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program proposal.

By: Brad Randall, Broadband Communities

Officials in Nebraska may now request access to federal funds allocated for the state to begin implementation of the BEAD program.

The news, announced this week by the NTIA, follows similar approvals announced last week for North Dakota, Idaho, and American Samoa.

In total, Nebraska was allocated over $405 million in BEAD funds to deploy or upgrade high-speed internet networks.

Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen said the development is a big step towards connecting all of Nebraska, “ensuring every farm, home, and business has access to high-speed internet.”

“This effort will drive economic growth, expand educational opportunities, and strengthen our communities, ensuring that all Nebraskans can thrive in an increasingly digital world,” Pillen said, according to the NTIA’s Sept. 18 release.

All states first submitted their initial proposals in 2023.

In 2024, the NTIA has announced approvals for states and territories on a rolling basis.

NTIA Administrator Alan Davidson congragulated Nebraska’s state broadband office for developing “a strong proposal.”

“Today, Nebraska can move their ‘Internet for All’ efforts from planning to action,” Davidson said.

Updates for initial approvals announced in the BEAD program, a $42.45 billion state grant program authorized by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, can be found here, on the NTIA’s website.

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