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Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program
Authorized by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the BEAD Program will provide states funding that will help expand high-speed internet access and use. Texas was allocated $3.3 billion to support infrastructure deployment, mapping and adoption, including planning and capacity-building. The Broadband Development Office (BDO) will create a competitive process for potential subrecipients to apply for funding.
All program information, planning documents and deadlines will be available here. Check back often.
CHALLENGE PROCESS
BEGINS DEC. 3, 2024
The BEAD Challenge Process is vital to ensuring the state accurately represents location-level funding eligibility for the BEAD Program.
To ensure challengers are prepared, the BDO will host several webinars throughout the Texas Availability Challenge Process. The webinars will cover the process and inputs needed to successfully file a challenge. Use the links below to register for each session:
- Oct. 30, 2024 – Webinar recording
- Nov. 13, 2024, at 1 p.m. CT – Webinar recording
- Dec. 4, 2024, at 1 p.m. CT – Register for December 4th webinar
- Jan. 8, 2025, at 1 p.m. CT – Register for January 8 webinar
The BDO will also host weekly office hours every Thursday at 1 p.m. CT.
Beginning Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, additional support is available through the BEAD Challenge Process helpline, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT.
BEAD Challenge Process helpline: 855-TEX-BEAD (855-839-2323)
Visit the Challenge Process registration page to participate in the Challenge Process and access additional guidance materials. Pre-Challenge Location ID Lists with service availability data files (zip) can be downloaded from the "Register Now” page.
Initial Proposal
VOLUME I APPROVED BY NTIA ON APRIL 11, 2024
VOLUME II APPROVED BY NTIA ON NOV. 19, 2024
States were required to submit a comprehensive two-volume Initial Proposal for the BEAD Program that detailed the steps they planned to take in pursuit of universal service. The BDO posted a draft of Texas’ Initial Proposal and invited feedback from the state’s residents and stakeholders. Following public comments and related revisions, the Initial Proposal was submitted to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) on Dec. 23, 2023. Volume I of the Initial Proposal was approved on April 11, 2024. Volume II was approved on Nov. 19, 2024.
- BEAD Initial Proposal Volume I Amended
(PDF)
- Updates include:
- BEAD Challenge Process timeline.
- Due date for Escalating Service Commitments.
- Due date for Planned Service Commitments.
- Updates include:
- Identified Community Anchor Institutions (XLSX)
- BEAD Initial Proposal Volume II (PDF)
SUBGRANTEE SELECTION PROCESS
Volume II of the BEAD Initial Proposal describes the selection process for subgrantees. This section includes important details about the selection criteria, how applications will be evaluated and the timeline for the process.
The BDO plans to start the subgrantee selection process in May 2025, pending NTIA’s approval of the Challenge Process.
Interested parties can prepare by requesting a CostQuest Tier D license.
Five-Year Action Plan
SUBMITTED TO NTIA ON AUG. 28, 2023
States and territories planning to access funding through the BEAD Program were required to develop and submit a Five-Year Action Plan to NTIA outlining broadband objectives, goals and priorities for ensuring unserved and underserved locations gain access to reliable broadband. The plan serves as a needs assessment and informs how the BDO will develop a Texas-specific grant program with funding from the BEAD Program.
- Email us to request a copy of the BDO’s Five-Year Action Plan.
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