Kelly, Sinema Announce Approval of Internet for All Plan, Unlocking Nearly $1 Billion for Arizona Broadband

National Telecommunications and Information Administration will obligate Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program funds for Arizona

Arizona Senators Mark Kelly and Kyrsten Sinema announced that the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has approved Arizona's Internet for All proposal, clearing the way for Arizona to receive nearly $1 billion from the Sinema-led and Kelly-shaped Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to deploy high-speed broadband in every corner of our state.

Authorized by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program will provide $988,112,231.37 for Arizona broadband-providing investments to expand high-speed Internet access by funding planning, infrastructure deployment, and adoption programs.

"The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is improving lives every day, and today's announcement will help give every Arizonan, regardless of where they live, access to reliable, high-speed internet," said Kelly. "Expanding broadband access is crucial for economic development, education, and healthcare, especially in rural and underserved communities. I am proud to have worked alongside my colleagues to secure these funds and will continue working to bridge the digital divide."

"Today's funds authorized by our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will make internet more accessible and affordable for Arizonans in all corners of our state. I'm ensuring our investments from our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continue delivering for Arizona," said Sinema, co-author and lead negotiator of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Kelly and Sinema's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law makes historic and sweeping investments in repairing and upgrading America's critical infrastructure, including $65 billion to deploy high-speed broadband, expand broadband internet access, and help families afford broadband service.

Specifically, the law invests over $14 billion to make the internet more affordable and requires internet providers to offer a low-cost option to participate in federal broadband deployment funding. Following passage of the infrastructure law, the Federal Communications Commission established the Affordable Connectivity Program using the funding Kelly and Sinema secured to help Arizonans access affordable internet. The program provides eligible families $30 a month toward their internet bills and $75 a month toward internet service in tribal areas.

Kelly and Sinema led bipartisan Senate negotiations with Republican Senator Rob Portman of Ohio and senators from both parties.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law was supported by groups including The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Business Roundtable, The National Association of Manufacturers, The AFL-CIO, The National Retail Federation, The Bipartisan Policy Center, North America's Building Trades Unions, the Outdoor Industry Association, The American Hotel and Lodging Association, The National Education Association, as well as hundreds of mayors across all 50 states.