More broadband funding heading this way

Another chest of federal funding for broadband access is soon to go live in Wyoming, this time through the “Internet for All” initiative.

The federal government’s “Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment Program” (BEAD) aims to make sure that all unserved locations in the state – at a minimum, with “underserved” locations to also be targeted if possible – will be connected to the internet by the time the funds have been spent.

According to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), which is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, the program has allocated just under $348 million to Wyoming towards the ultimate goal of providing everyone in America with affordable, reliable, high-speed internet service.

This federal funding is separate from the Connect Wyoming program, which recently saw Celerity Networks and Charter Communications awarded a combined $20 million to bring broadband to the Moorcroft/Pine Haven/Sand Hills/Iron Mountain and Aladdin-Beulah areas respectively.

These two projects are expected to bring broadband access to over a thousand homes in Crook County.

Both federal funding sources are administered through the Wyoming Business Council (WBC).

While funding is already being allocated through Connect Wyoming, BEAD is still in the development stages.

WBC was asked to put together a preliminary plan to distribute the $348 million. Just like with Connect Wyoming, it will be offered as grant awards to service providers, cooperatives and others who bid to build or upgrade current internet networks.

Before these awards can be made, WBC must go through the state-run challenge process, which aims to ensure that the plan accurately reflects who does and does not have Internet access in Wyoming. 

This involves a preliminary list of unserved and underserved locations that was put together using the Federal Communication Commission’s dataset of all locations where fixed broadband is or could be installed.

This list is likely to include Crook County locations. Soon after the legislature enabled the Wyoming State Broadband Program in 2018, the WBC conducted a survey to which 305 county residents responded, revealing that internet dead spots exist across the whole county.

During the challenge process, broadband providers, nonprofits and municipalities can challenge the status of homes, businesses and community anchor institutions (such as schools or libraries) on the list if they believe they do or do not have enough internet speed to qualify as “served” available.

The program aims to provide at least 25 mbps download and 3 mbps upload speed to every location.

Individuals cannot submit a challenge, but can work with eligible challengers to provide information about the status of their home or small business. 

According to NITA, this part of the process will begin soon. The next step will be to accept bids and select projects to begin allocation of the $348 million.