Senator Baldwin Applauds Wisconsin’s Plan to Expand Broadband Moving Forward Under Infrastructure Law

WISCONSIN – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) is applauding Wisconsin’s plan moving forward to invest over $1 billion in funding she helped deliver from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to build out the Badger State’s broadband network.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced it has approved Volume 2 of Wisconsin’s Initial Proposal under the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, setting the state up for a final proposal next year. The BEAD program was established by the Baldwin-supported Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to expand high-speed internet access to areas currently unserved or underserved by funding planning, infrastructure deployment, and adoption programs.

“Our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is investing in more than roads and bridges. We’re also making a major investment in Wisconsin’s broadband, bringing affordable, high-speed internet to every corner of our state and creating good-paying jobs in the process,” said Senator Baldwin. “Today is a major step forward toward ensuring all Wisconsinites can work, learn, and connect from where they live.”

Last year, Senator Baldwin announced that Wisconsin is receiving $1.05 billion in federal funds through the BEAD program to connect more Wisconsinites to high-speed internet. The funding came after Senator Baldwin successfully pushed the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to release an updated National Broadband Map that provided a more reliable and accurate depiction of broadband availability across Wisconsin.

This approval enables Wisconsin to request access to funding and begin implementation of the BEAD program. One year from this Initial Proposal approval, Wisconsin must submit to NTIA a Final Proposal that details, among other things, the outcome of the subgrantee selection process and how the state will ensure service to all unserved locations.

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