ArizonaBroadband Equity, Access & Deployment Program
Arizona's Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program is the largest broadband investment in the state's history with the principal objective of universal broadband access for all.
- Ensures high-speed internet is available to every household, business, anchor institution and community within the state.
- Promotes equity and digital inclusion.
- Improves Arizona's broadband ecosystem, integrating with the Statewide Middle-Mile Strategic Program and other federal funding programs.
- Enhances and coordinates Arizona's broadband related investments with other investments in social programs, education, and economic equity and development.
BEAD PRE-REGISTRATION
Pre-Registration is now open and required for all broadband providers looking to participate in the BEAD program. Pre-registration is intended to streamline the application process, serving as a gating stage to ensure applicants meet the program's minimum and mandatory requirements. All Round 1 BEAD subgrantee participants are strongly encouraged to complete pre-registration before the Subgrantee Application window opens on December 20, 2024.
BEAD MARKET SOUNDING
The 45-calendar day (9/23/2024 – 11/ 7/2024) Market Sounding exercise helps to ensure the BEAD Program is designed effectively and meets the needs of all Arizona communities.
To achieve this, the ACA will gather feedback from prospective applicants and stakeholders regarding the Initial Project Area draft for the BEAD Program. The feedback gathered will be instrumental in completing the Final Project Area Determination, with the goal of ensuring 100% of Arizona households are connected.
BEAD INITIAL PROPOSAL, VOLUME II
Volume II outlines the long-term objectives for deploying broadband, closing the digital divide, addressing access, affordability, equity, and adoption issues, and enhancing economic growth and job creation including information developed in the Five-Year Action Plan.
VIEW BEAD INITIAL PROPOSAL - VOLUME II
This plan is dated May 24, 2024, when it was submitted for NTIA Approval.
VIEW BEAD INITIAL PROPOSAL VOLUME II - CHANGE SUMMARY
This document summarizes changes in the Initial Proposal Volume II. Posted August 2024 after Vol II approval.
BEAD INITIAL PROPOSAL, VOLUME I
Volume I outlines existing broadband funding within Arizona, the list of the locations designated as unserved and underserved in the FCC National Broadband Map, Arizona's Community Anchor Institutions (CAIs) as defined by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the proposed plan for the BEAD challenge process.
VIEW BEAD INITIAL PROPOSAL - VOLUME I
Below is a link to the data files supporting the report. NOTE: these are draft files. The final list of BEAD eligible BSLs and CAIs will be posted after receiving NTIA approval of Challenge Process Data (expected fall 2024).
- Broadband Serviceable Locations (BSLs)
- Community Anchor Institutions (CAIs)
BEAD FIVE-YEAR ACTION PLAN
Arizona's vision is to provide dependable and affordable high-speed internet services to every community and access to the necessary digital skills, so every resident can fully participate in a digital world. The BEAD Five-Year Action Plan serves as a guide to achieving the following:
- Provide universal connectivity to unserved and underserved areas and ensure high speed internet access is available to every household, business, anchor institution, Tribal Nations and community in Arizona.
- Promote digital equity and inclusion through increased digital skills and access to devices for all Arizona residents including Tribal Nations and their members.
- Create a 21st century workforce so Arizonans and Tribal Nations can succeed in the rapidly evolving job market where the state creates, grows and attracts high wage businesses to increase economic development.
- Coordinate broadband infrastructure investments with investments in
healthcare, education, public safety, workforce and economic development statewide and on tribal lands. - Promote broadband service pricing that is affordable to all Arizonans including Tribal Nations and their members.
View the BEAD FIVE-YEAR ACTION Plan
The Challenge Process
The State Broadband Office administered a Challenge Process in 2024, to verify whether a particular location or community anchor institution is unserved or underserved. The Challenge Process provided an opportunity to correct inaccuracies in the state’s broadband map, ensuring it reflects the most up-to-date broadband access across the state.
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