Biden-Harris Administration Approves Utah, Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands’ “Internet for All” Initial Proposals

One State and Two Territories Requested Access to BEAD Funds Totaling Over $425 Million

WASHINGTON - The Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has approved Utah, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands' Initial Proposals for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, a cornerstone of the Biden-Harris Administration's "Internet for All" initiative.

This approval enables Utah, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands to request access to funding and begin implementation of the BEAD program-a major step towards closing the digital divide and meeting the President's goal of connecting everyone in America with affordable, reliable, high-speed Internet service.

Today's action allows the state and two territories to request:

• Utah: Over $317 Million
• Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands: Over $80 Million
• U.S. Virgin Islands: Over $27 Million

"Thanks to President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Department of Commerce is ensuring everyone in Utah, the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and all across America, has access to affordable, reliable high-speed Internet," said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. "Congratulations to the teams in the Utah, Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. We look forward to working with you all to ensure everyone in your state and territories is connected."

The BEAD program is a $42.45 billion state grant program authorized by President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The states, territories and Washington D.C. were allocated funding to deploy or upgrade high-speed Internet networks to ensure that everyone has access to reliable, affordable, high-speed Internet service.

Once deployment goals are met, any remaining funding can be used on high-speed Internet adoption, training, and workforce development efforts, among other eligible uses.

"Today, Utah, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands can move their Internet for All efforts from planning to action," said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator Alan Davidson. "I congratulate the state and territory broadband offices for developing strong proposals for how they will connect all of their residents to high-speed Internet service."

BEAD-eligible entities-the 56 states, territories, and the District of Columbia-are required to submit for NTIA's approval an Initial Proposal detailing how they plan to spend their BEAD allocation to deliver high-speed Internet access to all unserved and underserved locations within their borders. All states submitted their Initial Proposals by December 27, 2023.

NTIA provides updates on the status of all 56 states and territories' Initial Proposal.

NTIA will continue to announce approval of Initial Proposals on a rolling basis.

One year from Initial Proposal approval, states must submit a Final Proposal that details, among other things, the outcome of the subgrantee selection process and how the state will ensure universal coverage.

Here's what stakeholders are saying about the announcement:

Utah

"We are excited to connect all of Utah to broadband," said Governor Spencer Cox. "Providing high-speed Internet to homes, businesses, and individuals catapults the state's trajectory as the fastest-growing and best economy in the nation and globally."

Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands

"The approval of our BEAD Initial Proposal is a major milestone for the CNMI. This federal funding is a crucial investment in our infrastructure and the future of our residents. As we recover from recent economic challenges, it is essential that every resident has access to affordable, high-speed broadband. This access will strengthen our digital economy and diversify our economic landscape," said Governor Arnold I. Palacios. "The initiative will create new opportunities in education, healthcare, and business, helping us build a more resilient and connected CNMI. We are grateful for the support of the NTIA in this effort to close the digital divide across our islands. I also want to express my sincere appreciation to our local stakeholders and my Broadband Policy and Development Office for their unwavering commitment to making this initiative a reality."

###

Internet for All

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes a historic $65 billion investment to expand affordable and reliable high-speed Internet access in communities across the U.S. NTIA recently launched a series of new high-speed Internet grant programs funded by the law that will build high-speed Internet infrastructure across the country, create more low-cost high-speed Internet service options, and address the digital equity and inclusion needs in our communities.

For more information on the Biden-Harris Administration's high-speed Internet service programs, please visit InternetforAll.gov.

About the National Telecommunications and Information Administration

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, is the Executive Branch agency that advises the President on telecommunications and information policy issues. NTIA's programs and policymaking focus largely on expanding broadband Internet access and adoption in America, expanding the use of spectrum by all users, advancing public safety communications, and ensuring that the Internet remains an engine for innovation and economic growth. 

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.