Broadband Equity, Access & Deployment Program (BEAD)

The state is committed to providing universal broadband for all. The BEAD Five-Year Action Plan outlines the following goals under the BEAD Program.

INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS:

• Align broadband infrastructure with healthcare, education, public safety and economic development.
• Use state and federal programs to ensure 100↓ / 20↑ Mpbs Internet Service.
• Collaborate with universities and colleges to expand broadband.

UNIVERSAL CONNECTIVITY:

• Provide high-speed internet to all households, businesses, institutions and Tribal Nations.
• Identify areas lacking 100↓ / 20↑ Mpbs Internet Service.
• Address barriers to broadband expansion.
• Simplify permitting and right-of-way processes.
• Invest in new broadband infrastructure.

21ST-CENTURY WORKFORCE:

• Create workforce programs focusing on technology and high-wage jobs.
• Partner with educational institutions to prepare students for tech jobs.
• Offer reskill and upskill programs for displaced workers.

AFFORDABLE INTERNET:

• Promote affordable internet plans for low-income households.
• Encourage programs that reduce internet costs, like the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).
• Foster market competition and incentivize service to underserved areas.

DIGITAL EQUITY AND INCLUSION:

• Increase digital skills and device access for all residents, including Tribal members.
• Strengthen partnerships to improve digital equity programs.
• Promote digital literacy and affordable device access.
• Maintain a public Digital Equity Asset Inventory.

Arizona was awarded $993.1 million in federal funding to build infrastructure and expand internet access in rural and historically underserved communities. BEAD funds will be prioritized in the following order: 

1. Connect unserved locations (available service is 25/3 Mpbs per second or less)
2. Connect underserved locations (available service is at least 25/3 Mpbs but less than 100/20 Mbps)
3. Connect Community Anchor Institutions (CAIs) to gigabit symmetrical service (1,000/1,000 Mpbs)   

The BEAD Program requires that the State Broadband Office allow stakeholders to challenge the accuracy of BEAD-eligible locations. Confirmation of locations that currently lack access to high-speed internet is essential for funding to be used to connect these areas. The Challenge Process provides an opportunity to correct inaccuracies in Arizona’s broadband map, ensuring it reflects the most up-to-date broadband access across the state.  

On December 12, 2024, the National Telecommunication and Information Administration (NTIA) approved the State Broadband Office's Challenge Process data resulting in the final list of locations and Community Anchor Institutions (CAIs) eligible for BEAD funding. 

• Post-Challenge CAIs (approved 12/12/2024)
• Post-Challenge Unserved Locations (approved 12/12/2024)
• Post-Challenge Underserved Locations (approved 12/12/2024)
• Updated Data Dictionary (updated 12/12/2024)

ARIZONA NAVIGATOR PORTAL

Per the NTIA guidelines, only the following entities can submit challenges: 

• Local governments 
• Tribal nations and communities 
• Nonprofit organizations  
• Internet Service Providers (ISPs)  

CHALLENGE PROCESS FILES:

Datasets that are used to support the BEAD Challenge Process  

• Unserved
• Underserved
• Community Anchor Institutions
• Initial Proposal Volume 1 Approved by NTIA
• NTIA - Arizona State and Federal Deduplication
• NTIA - State and Federal Deduplication Data Dictionary
• Bulk Challenge Template
• CAI Template

CHALLENGE PROCESS INFORMATION MATERIALS: 


Documents that provide an overview of the challenge process and how to participate 

• Overview of the Challenge Process
• Overview of Area and MDU Challenges
• How to Conduct a Speed/Latency Test
• Steps to Report a Service Issue
• NTIA BEAD Challenge Process Policy
• BEAD Model Challenge Process
• BEAD Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)
• Challenge Types, Evidence Examples, & Permissible Rebuttals
• ACA Challenge Evidence Requirements
• ACA Rebuttal Evidence Requirements
• Rebuttal Reports Data Dictionary
• ACA BEAD Affidavit
• Open Rebuttals (as of June 20, 2024)
• Provider Challenges Awaiting Rebuttal (as of June 17, 2024)

BROADBAND NAVIGATOR USER GUIDE: 


A technical document for navigating and interactive with the challenge portal  

• Broadband Navigator User Guide (Updated 4/24/2024)
• How to Perform a Broadband Challenge Process Speed Test

REQUEST A COSTQUEST LICENSE  

Participating entities are encouraged to request a no-cost NTIA Tier D or Tier E license from CostQuest Associates to participate in the BEAD Challenge Process. However, obtaining a CostQuest license is not required to participate. This license will permit licensees to view the BSL data on a more granular level and is an important tool for analyzing areas that may need to be challenged. Please note that the process to request a license may two up to two weeks to complete.  

Review the NTIA Fabric Licensing FAQ to learn about the licensing process and determine the appropriate tier license for your organization.   

Tier D

Entities that participate in any federal broadband programs, including entities with reporting requirement or entities that plan to participate in the BEAD sub-granting process, should request a Tier D License. Internet service providers, for example, should request a Tier D license. Licensees will be similar to those with an FCC Fabric Tier 2 license.

Use this guide for requesting an NTIA Tier D to assist in completing the application process.   

REQUEST TIER D LICENSE

Tier E
Entities that participate in the challenge process, but do not participate in federal broadband programs, should request Tier E license. Nonprofit organizations, for example, should request Tier E license. Licensees will be similar to those with an FCC Fabric Tier 4 license.   
 
Use this guide for requesting an NTIA Tier E to assist with completing the application process.   

REQUEST TIER E LICENSE

Arizona's BEAD Subgrantee Application process includes two round of applications:

• Round 1 Application window will be open from January 6, 2025 to March 7, 2025
• Round 2 Application window will be open from May 12, 2025 to June 11, 2025

All BEAD Applicants must complete pre-registration prior to submitting an application for either round. Learn more.

GET STARTED

Application Timeline

Round 1 

• Round 1 Application Intake: January 6, 2025 – March 7, 2025

Round 2 

• Round 2 Application Intake: May 12, 2025 – June 11, 2025 

Application Resources

• Application Guide (version 2, updated 1/18/2025)
• Application FAQs (updated 1/18/2025)
• Application Questionnaire 
• Application Checklist 
• Application Guidance Webinar Deck
• Application Guidance Webinar Recording
• Technology Solutions Clarification
• Project Cost Scoring Clarification

Application Webinars

The BEAD Application webinars are intended for potential applicants applying for Arizona's BEAD Program subgrant. The agenda includes an overview of the BEAD Program, an explanation of the Application process, and instructions for how to submit an application. These sessions will include a provision for questions-and-answer segment.View Webinars

The State Broadband Office conducted the BEAD Project Area Market Sounding exercise from September 23, 2024 to November 7, 2024. During this period, feedback was collected on draft project areas from all Stakeholders. The State Broadband Office thoroughly reviewed all feedback and adjusted some of the draft project areas to ensure that all BEAD-eligible locations are served.

View FINAL BEAD Project Areas

Additional files are also available for download that include project area PDFs and Final Project Area Polygon files:

• Final Project Area PDFs
• Final Project Area Polygon.geojson

Approved Challenge Process Dataset

On December 12, 2024, the National Telecommunication and Information Administration (NTIA) approved the State Broadband Office's Challenge Process data resulting in the final list of locations and Community Anchor Institutions (CAIs) eligible for BEAD funding. 

• Post-Challenge CAIs (approved 12/12/2024)
• Post-Challenge Unserved Locations (approved 12/12/2024, updated 01/06/2025)
• Post-Challenge Underserved Locations (approved 12/12/2024, updated 01/06/2025)
• Updated Data Dictionary (updated 12/12/2024)

Arizona was awarded $993.1 million in federal funding to build infrastructure and expand internet access in rural and historically underserved communities. BEAD funds will be prioritized in the following order: 

• Connect unserved locations (available service is 25/3 Mpbs per second or less)
• Connect underserved locations (available service is at least 25/3 Mpbs but less than 100/20 Mbps)
• Connect Community Anchor Institutions (CAIs) to gigabit symmetrical service (1,000/1,000 Mpbs) 

The BEAD Marketing Sounding Exercise, which will run for 45 calendar days from 9/23/2024 to 11/7/2024, was designed is to solicit feedback on the Initial Project Area draft for the BEAD Program, ensuring it aligns with the connectivity needs of all Arizona communities. Through gathering input, the State Broadband Office seeks to make any necessary adjustments to better serve the goal of improving internet access across the state.  
 
The BEAD Market Sounding Exercise is not a requirement of NTIA, but a commitment by the State Broadband Office to continually ensure transparency and feedback loops throughout the BEAD Program. 
BEAD Eligible Subgrantees may participate, which includes local governments, nonprofit organizations, tribal nations and communities, and Internet Service Providers (ISPs). These participants are invited to comment on the Initial Project Area Draft as registered users in the
Arizona Broadband Navigator.  

ARIZONA NAVIGATOR PORTAL

BEAD Market Sounding Resources

• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
• Arizona Broadband Navigator User Guide
• Arizona Broadband Navigator
• PENDING Post Challenge CAIs
• PENDING Post Challenge Locations
• Project Area Polygons GeoJSON
• Post-Challenge Data Dictionary

Please note that the ‘pending’ links above are not final. In curing, each data update uses newer FCC maps for true-up and deduplication, which slightly impacts the results. The final list of BEAD-eligible locations will be posted after NTIA approval is received.

Designed as virtual roundtable discussions for Tribal Communities, Local Government and Internet Services Providers, these regular webinars help the Arizona Commerce Authority engage with communities, answer questions about BEAD and highlight any new policies.