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    • Monthly webinars

    We are hosting BEAD and Digital Equity updates with a Q&A opportunity twice a month.

    Register for the upcoming webinars and view the upcoming schedule (on Zoom).

    The Washington State Broadband Office led a state planning process to develop a Five-Year Action Plan (PDF) and a State Digital Equity Plan (PDF). These two plans establish eligibility for federal funding to deliver significant investments for expanding broadband access and to help close the digital divide in Washington.

    The Internet for All in Washington initiative  creates strategies to ensure reliable, high-speed Internet across the state of Washington, along with opportunities to invest in digital equity programs to make sure that in addition to Internet access, people also have the tools and skill sets necessary to fully take advantage of the benefits that come with digital inclusion.

    BEAD construction resources

    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.

    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

    Review the plan documents

    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.”

    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.

    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.

    Additional resources

    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

    Translated resources

    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.

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    Monthly webinars

    We are hosting BEAD and Digital Equity updates with a Q&A opportunity twice a month.

    Register for the upcoming webinars and view the upcoming schedule (on Zoom).

    Contact

    If you have questions about the project or would like to share comments and feedback, please contact us at InternetforAll@Commerce.wa.gov.

    Washington State Broadband Office (WSBO)