Internet for All Initiative

• View the Round Two BEAD Notice of Funding Opportunity (PDF)
• Apply for funding in the BEAD Zoom Grants Application Portal
• Round Two WSBO BEAD Checklist (PDF)
• Round Two Application Tips (PDF)
• BEAD NOFO Questions and Answers (PDF)
• Unlicensed Fixed Wireless Provider Policy Notice for Alternative Technology (PDF)

The Washington State Broadband Office (WSBO) will host four upcoming training sessions on the BEAD application process. Event recordings will be posted when they are available.

• Topic: Checklist and maps
  • View a recording of the Oct. 30 training (Zoom) Passcode: X4A?shvN
  • View a recording of the Nov. 7 training (Zoom) Passcode: &^QxhFd1
• Topic: BEAD application and Zoom grants portal
  • View a recording of the Nov. 14 training (Zoom) Passcode: Hu5ka+$x
    • Nov. 14 training Q&A (PDF)
  • View a recording of the Nov. 18 training (Zoom) Passcode: E1+&t2C9
    • Nov. 18 training Q&A (PDF)

These updated BEAD construction project area maps detailing unserved and underserved locations across the state. These maps will provide the state with a foundation as we work to build Internet for All to Washington.

Small changes in the maps may still come, as final approval from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is still pending.

View the updated BEAD construction project area maps.

View the list of recent updates on the BEAD construction area maps.

NEPA/Permitting

• Permitting Roundtables Interagency Collaboration Update (PDF)
• Smart Start NEPA Compliance for BEAD (PDF)
• Permitting and Environmental Information Mapping Application (PDF)
• FAQ NEPA for BEAD (PDF)
• The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation Program Comment for Federal Communications Projects Flowchart (PDF)

In June 2023, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced allocations for the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program. Washington received an allocation of $1.23 billion to improve residents’ access to broadband infrastructure. Preliminary estimates indicate that this federal funding may result in approximately 2,400 new jobs across the state in the construction, information technology, and telecommunications sectors from 2025 to 2032.

The Washington State Broadband Office (WSBO) is partnering with the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board, the Employment Security Department (ESD), and the Washington Workforce Association (WWA) to identify opportunities for workforce development over the coming years.

BEAD applicants have been encouraged to develop workforce plans that focus on hiring a diverse, local workforce from local communities across the states, particularly individuals who are underrepresented in broadband careers.

Employers and job seekers interested in identifying opportunities for training or employment can review the resources below:

For employers

• Local Workforce Development Boards and their Business Services Teams serve and assist employers in navigating local and state public workforce resources and programs which includes those to offset new hire training costs, upskilling current employees, obtaining workforce development capital and employee reductions.
• WorkSource (ESD) – A statewide program and partnership of state, local, and nonprofit organizations who work together to provide employers a variety of no-cost services that include posting jobs, hiring events, new hire tax credits, and more. Accessible online or at various locations statewide.

For employment opportunities and career explortation

• WorkSource (ESD) – A statewide program and partnership of state, local, and nonprofit organizations who work together to provide job seekers a variety of no-cost career and employment services that include job search assistance, career counseling and training programs. Accessible online or at various locations statewide.
• Career Bridge – An online resource to help explore career pathways, view job trends, and find education.

Additional employment resources:

• Find occupations in demand (ESD)
• WorkSource Training Resources (ESD)
• Washington Workforce Portal (AWB Portal)
  This portal links higher education, industry and K-12 partners in partnership with local chambers of commerce. Students attending high school, 2-year and 4-year public and private post-secondary institutions who are seeking work-based learning opportunities, such as internships, apprenticeships, job shadowing, mentorship, are directly matched with businesses seeking to recruit the next generation of their workforce. Teachers and faculty can access this portal to better influence the classroom with real world work experience.

Volume II of the Initial Proposal details 16 requirements addressing the planning process, the sub-grantee selection process, and other requirements associated with using BEAD funding. Volume I details the additional four requirements, and it’s public comment period closed on Nov. 10, 2023.

Review the final NTIA approved Initial Proposal Volume II document (PDF).

The public comment period for Volume II ended on Nov. 30, 2023. Review the public comments we received in the Draft Initial Proposal Volume II Public Comment Report (PDF).

The public comment period for Washington’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program (BEAD) DRAFT Initial Proposal Volume I closed on Nov. 10, 2023. Review the public comments we received in the Draft Initial Proposal Volume I Public Comment Report (PDF).

Review the final NTIA approved Initial Proposal Volume I document (PDF). 

Building upon ongoing digital inclusion efforts, extensive public engagement efforts, and insight from local and tribal governments in Washington, the WSBO is releasing this final Initial Proposal Volume I. Volume I contains information from four of 20 Initial Proposal requirements. 

Volume II of the Initial Proposal details the additional 16 requirements addressing the planning process, the sub-grantee selection process, and other requirements associated with using BEAD funding. It is also posted on this page and its public comment period closed on Nov. 30, 2023.

We will conduct a required state challenge process during the spring of 2024. This process will provide a formal avenue to capture challenges to a Broadband Service Location (BSL) status as “served,” “underserved” or “unserved.”

• Read more about the challenge process and the licensing required to participate
• View the Feb. 1 challenge process webinar

The Washington State Broadband Office developed a Digital Equity Plan after a robust public engagement period and planning process to capture Washington state’s diverse voices and identify the needs and barriers to connecting Washingtonians across the state.

• View the Digital Equity Plan (PDF)
• Draft Digital Equity Plan Public Comments (PDF)

Washington state’s BEAD 5-Year Action Plan serves as the foundational comprehensive needs assessment that will inform the subsequent planning elements required by the National Telecommunications Administration (NTIA) under the Internet for All program. The BEAD Five Year Action Plan public comment period is now closed. The five-year plan has been submitted and accepted by NTIA. We are considering all comments and suggestions as we finalize the Draft Initial Proposal Volume I, Draft Initial Proposal Volume II, and the Digital Equity Plan.

• Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) 5-Year Action Plan (PDF)
• Bead 5-Year Action Plan Public Comment (PDF)

We will host BEAD updates with a Q&A opportunity every month. These webinars will be hosted via Zoom and explain the efforts to expand affordable and reliable Internet access to everyone in the state, while giving you a platform to submit comments and questions. Register for upcoming BEAD webinars (on Zoom).

Previous session recordings

• Watch the Office Hours recording for March 26, 2025 Password: e$5B9P9k
• Watch the Office Hours recording for March 12, 2025 Password: *A%vg00w
• Watch the Office Hours recording for Feb. 26, 2025 Password: +r!Vmz6*
• Watch the Office Hours recording for Feb. 12, 2025 Password: X9p970n$
  • Digital Skills for Workforce Update Presentation (PDF)
• Watch the Office Hours recording for Jan. 29, 2025 Password: n=j^FE57
  • WSDOT shared links from the Jan. 29 meeting (PDF)
• Watch the Office Hours recording for Jan. 22, 2025 Password: 7XSYl&3=
• Watch the Office Hours recording for Jan. 15, 2025 Password: W^nR42Bz
  • Q&A document for the Jan. 15, 2025 Office Hours (PDF)
• Watch the Office Hours recording for Dec. 18, 2024 Password: q9*yy6S2
  • Q&A document for the Dec. 18, 2024 Office Hours (PDF)
• Watch the Office Hours recording for Dec. 11, 2024 Password: q3@9fQ%a
  • Q&A document for the Dec. 11, 2024 Office Hours (PDF)
• Watch the Office Hours recording for Nov. 6, 2024 Password: +A59Z^#B
• Watch the Office Hours recording for Oct. 9, 2024 Password: UN6+0^sr
• Watch the Office Hours recording for Sept. 24, 2024 Password: T^Q2?xH@
• WSBO Office Hours meeting recording from Aug. 14, 2024  Passcode: 34*$tJXq
• Broadband Equity Updates PowerPoint from August 28, 2024
• Watch the Internet for All recording for July 24, 2024
• WSBO Office Hours meeting recording from July 17, 2024
• WSBO Office Hours meeting recording from July 3, 2024  Passcode: @3PPhH8X
• Watch the Internet for All recording for June 26, 2024
• WSBO Office Hours meeting audio recording from June 5, 2024
• View the list and links for previously recorded challenge process webinars
• Watch the Interenet for All recording from March 27, 2024 (on TVW)
• Watch the Internet for All recording from Feb. 28, 2024 (on TVW)
  • Presentation slides from Feb. 28, 2024 (PDF)
• Watch the Internet for All recording from Jan. 24, 2024 (on TVW)
  • Presentation slides from Jan. 24, 2024 (PDF)
• 2023 Webinar Links (PDF)

• Digital Equity Capacity Grants Update (PDF)
  • Digital Equity Capacity Grants Application (PDF)
  • Digital Equity Capacity Grants Application Redaction Log (PDF)
• Washington’s BEAD Challenge Page
• ACP Winding Down
• Low Earth Orbit Satellite Feasibility Report (PDF)
• BEAD Timeline (PDF)
• Internet for All in Washington kickoff video (on YouTube)
• Internet for All in Washington kickoff presentation (PDF)
• Internet for All in Washington Kickoff Event Transcript English (Word)
• Internet for All in Washington Kickoff Event Transcript Spanish (Word)
• Inside Olympia interviews Director Mark Vasconi on Internet for All (on TVW.Org)

Translated resources

• Digital Equity Plan One Pager (PDF)
• El Plan de Equidad Digital también está disponible en Español (Word)
• Kế hoạch công bằng kỹ thuật số cũng có sẵn bằng tiếng Việt (Word)
• Mayroon ding Digital Equity Plan na nasa wikang Tagalog (Word)
• 数字股权计划还提供 中文 版本 (Word)
• 數字股權計劃還提供 中文 版本 (Word)
•  План цифрового равенства также доступен на русский язык (Word)

What federal funding is available to invest in expanding high-speed internet access?

The Biden-Harris Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) provides $65 billion in funding for high-speed internet efforts through multiple federal grant programs. Each eligible entity, including states and territories, will conduct their own planning and program development using funds from these grants.

The BIL funnels a high percentage of broadband funding into broadband infrastructure and digital equity through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program and the Digital Equity programs. These programs will provide more than $48 billion for infrastructure deployment, internet installation, digital equity programs, workforce development and training, digital literacy and skills education, and the adoption of high-speed internet to connect Americans with their communities, their democracy, and the economy. The state of Washington is focusing its efforts in completing the required planning for these programs. These planning efforts will establish eligibility for funds that will deliver results for all who call Washington home. The final amount of total federal funding will be calculated through a formula allocation based on the number of unserved and underserved residences and businesses in the state.

What are the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) and Digital Equity programs?

The BEAD program, as defined by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), is “a program to get all Americans online by funding partnerships between states or territories, communities, and stakeholders to build infrastructure where we need it and to increase adoption of high-speed internet.” The program provides $42.45 billion for infrastructure planning and implementation nationwide.

The Digital Equity programs provide $2.75 billion in nationwide funding to promote digital inclusion and advance equity for all by engaging communities to build their capabilities in accessing and utilizing affordable, reliable high-speed Internet to meet their needs and improve their living standards.

For more information on the BEAD and Digital Equity programs and other broadband related federal funding programs visit the federal Internet for All website.

What does this mean for Washington State?

Broadband access is essential for everyday activities such as working from home, remote learning, telehealth, staying connected to communities, and social interaction. That is why the Broadband Office strives to improve both the adoption and availability of broadband services for Washington State residents.

Unfortunately, affordable, reliable, high-speed Internet has remained inaccessible to some communities in the United States, restricting their ability to have the information technology capacity needed for full participation in our society. According to the 2017-2021 United States Census Bureau, 91 percent of households in Washington have a broadband Internet subscription, which still translates to roughly 264,000 households that have not adopted broadband services.

Given this, Internet for All in Washington plans must involve any of these three parts:

• Expanding access of broadband networks
• Encouraging adoption by individuals, families & businesses who do not currently have internet 
• Securing affordable internet services

Access ensures Americans have access to high-quality, high-speed internet services to support full participation in the 21st century economy and beyond. Affordability supports the use of broadband services, especially in low-income households, which can foster a system that promotes long-term, sustainable, and affordable solutions. Adoption and digital literacy skill building makes investments to ensure Americans can participate in economy & society, reducing inequities across sectors, including healthcare, workforce & education. The delivery of resources and programs to unserved and underserved areas of the state will have a customer centric approach that will be local in its approach, yet regional in its delivery.

How can I get involved?

The Broadband Office strives to integrate the diverse voices of Washington State throughout the planning process that help ensure equitable, scalable, and sustainable outcomes. To emphasize these efforts into the planning process, the Broadband Office will organize a comprehensive public involvement plan to collect input and insight from stakeholders.

Washington State residents will have opportunities and platforms to voice their comments, concerns, and lived experiences relating to internet access and digital inclusion. There will be multiple in person and hybrid listening sessions and focus groups across the state. Internet for All in Washington will also be surveying the population to discover gaps and opportunities related to broadband services within the state. Tribal coordination and consultation will also be essential.

To assist in the statewide planning efforts, WSBO has partnered with Washington State University (WSU) Extension to aid in local level efforts to gather community input and develop local plans. WSU Extension are focusing this work through coordination with Broadband Action Team (BAT) regional offices and outreach programs. You can view their calendar, including their workshops, office hours, and community meetings, by visiting the WSU Extension Broadband Resources page.

A key part of the Internet for All planning process is listening to the feedback of Washington residents as we go. Draft and final planning documents will be posted here as they become available for public review. Your comments are strongly encouraged.

• Read the comments we have received (BOX)