Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program
Introduction
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The lack of fast, reliable, and affordable broadband is a major problem in rural, suburban, and even urban America. Issues of digital inclusion and accessibility have exacerbated the digital divide, leaving millions of Americans unable to use technology to improve their lives.
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The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program is funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and will provide Maine with a $272 million grant that will bring critical resources to fund broadband infrastructure and digital equity for the entire state. The BEAD program prioritizes Broadband Serviceable Locations (BSLs) that are unserved (less than 25/3 Mbps) and underserved (less than 100/20 Mbps).
MCA Contact
Brian Allenby
Program Operations &
Communications Director
ballenby@maineconnectivity.org
(207) 200-5824
BEAD Timeline
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The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) expects BEAD implementation to take roughly 6 years from start to finish. In September 2023, MCA submitted Maine's Broadband Action Plan and Digital Equity Plan to the NTIA for review. In December, 2023, MCA submitted BEAD Initial Proposals, Volume 1 & 2. Volume 1 has now been accepted, and Volume 2 is still undergoing curing.
Click the image to the left to zoom in on the timeline.
Maine's BEAD State-Led Challenge Process is MCA’s opportunity to create an accurate map of locations where BEAD funding can be deployed in Maine and represents the next step in unlocking Maine's $272 million BEAD allocation. Eligible challengers for the SLCP include local or Tribal governments, non-profit organizations, and internet service providers. These organizations may challenge whether a location has service of at least 100/20 Mbps service, or is a Community Anchor Institution.
Maine's BEAD State-Led Challenge Process: Next Steps
MCA published an initial list of all served, unserved, underserved, and Community Anchor Institutions (CAIs) in Maine in BEAD Initial Proposal, Volume 1. This list has since been refined, and the final list of locations being using to conduct the State Led Challenge Process are available by clicking below.
The Challenge Portal is now closed, and the Rebuttal Phase opened on June 7. During this period, ISPs and other eligible challengers will have the opportunity to agree or disagree with challenges made in the previous phase, depending on the challenge type. Ahead of the rebuttal phase, MCA conducted a location analysis and processed all challenges received to verify that each challenge was submitted properly and had the necessary evidence included. Similar to the Challenge Phase, eligible organizations will have 25 calendar days to provide rebuttals to MCA (June 7 - July 2, 2024). MCA will also host open office hours on June 12 at 3:30pm to support with rebuttal submissions.
For
Permissible
Challengers
MCA has organized challenges by internet service providers. These challenges will be shared in .csv file and are also accessible through the Rebuttal Portal, which will be open to providers with substantiated challenges made against them, and public organizations that have received their Tier E license. All challenged locations will remain visible in the Challenge Portal and are available to the public with the link below.
Thank you to all of the individuals who submitted speed tests through the Maine Speed Test from April 26 - May 31. Speed challenges are an integral part of having an accurate data set for BEAD Program funding, and we appreciate the dedication to this process.
For
Individuals
& Others
For more information about how the process works, its timeline, and more, head to the Maine Connectivity Resource Exchange.
Maine's BEAD Initial Proposal (Volume 1 and Volume 2) has been approved! THANK YOU to everyone who contributed during the public comment period!
BEAD Initial Proposals, Volume 1 & 2
Volume 1 includes:
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1.1 Existing Broadband Funding
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1.2 Unserved and Underserved Locations
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1.3 Community Anchor Institutions (CAIs)
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1.4 State Challenge Process
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Volume 2 includes:
2.1 Objectives, 2.2 Local, Tribal, and Regional Broadband Planning Processes, 2.3 Local Coordination, 2.4 Deployment Subgrantee Selection, 2.5 Non-Deployment Subgrantee Selection, 2.6 Eligible Entity Implementation Activities, 2.7 Labor Standards and Protection, 2.8 Workforce Readiness, 2.9 Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs)/Women’s Business Enterprises (WBEs), Labor Surplus Firms Inclusion. 2.10 Cost and Barrier Reduction
2.11 Climate Assessment, 2.12 Low-Cost Broadband Service Option, 2.13 Middle-Class Affordability Plans, 2.14 Use of 20 Percent of Funding, 2.15 Eligible Entity Regulatory Approach, 2.16 Certification of Compliance with BEAD Requirements,
Public Engagement
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As MCA launched Maine's BEAD State-Led Challenge Process and subsequent Subgrantee Selection Process, we will host info sessions and other opportunities for individuals, partners, and other organizations to engage with these processes.
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What Does BEAD and Digital Equity Mean For Me?
Tuesday, September 19, 2023
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This event is for anyone interested in understanding where we are in the BEAD & Digital Equity timelines, has questions about what upcoming BEAD and Digital Equity funding will mean to their community, organization, or broadband project, or would like to know more about how these funding streams will work in conjunction with other MCA programs.
Maine's Broadband Action Plan and Digital Equity Plan​
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Faced with the opportunity for unprecedented funding, Maine Connectivity Authority facilitated the development of a Broadband Action Plan (BAP) that is rooted in digital equity, in coordination with stakeholders around the state. This plan identifies priorities for investment in broadband and digital equity, and serves as the state’s 5-year road map to bring the economic, health, educational, and social benefits of high-speed internet to all Mainers. Through the BAP process, we strive to understand the challenges and opportunities facing stakeholders from every corner of the state so we can develop effective solutions.
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Following our Reflect and Revise period in June 2023, MCA processed hundreds of pieces of feedback that were received and updated the draft plan. In August 2023, MCA submitted the state's 5-year Broadband Action Plan to the NTIA. In September 2032, MCA submitted the state's first Digital Equity Plan to the NTIA.
We are greatly appreciative of all the insightful comments and helpful feedback that was provided by the people of Maine as we finalize these plans!
Digital Equity in the Planning Process
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Digital equity is the condition in which all individuals and communities have the information technology capacity for full participation in our society and economy. Maine has opted to combine our digital equity and infrastructure planning, so digital equity will be woven throughout the plan and will also result in a separate stand alone digital equity plan for the state for the first time. The digital equity components of the BAP will be guided by the Digital Equity Taskforce and supported by the Regional and Tribal Broadband Partners.
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For more information about MCA's Digital Equity initiatives, head to our Digital Equity webpage.
Click the image to enlarge
