At NoaNet, we’ve been leading the charge from day one, advocating for public engagement in Washington’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program—a once-in-a-lifetime chance to drive transformative broadband infrastructure projects with telecoms, ports, PUDs, and visionary public-private partnerships. BEAD is working to get all Americans online to build needed infrastructure and increase high-speed internet adoption. The federal program is funding more than $42 billion for infrastructure planning and implementation nationwide; of that, Washington State will receive more than $1.23 billion.
The state wrapped up its challenge process over the summer, involving local governments, nonprofits, tribal governments, and ISPs to increase the accuracy of the FCC’s Broadband Service Location (BSL) map to bring broadband internet to those across the state who haven’t had past access. Those locations identified as unserved or underserved are eligible for BEAD funding. Just published is the outcome: A statewide project area map. Project areas have been defined within county borders and the BEAD application process will officially begin Nov. 12, with the application window closing January 31st, 2025. View Washington State’s BEAD construction Project Areas Map here.
Now is the moment broadband stakeholders have been working toward—when months of community input, feasibility studies, and meticulous business planning all come together in the BEAD application process. At NoaNet, we are proud to stand alongside dozens of Washington State project applicants, offering expert guidance on grant-writing, network design, budgeting, and overall readiness. This is more than just an application—it’s the next step in our shared mission to bridge the digital divide and bring transformative broadband access to communities across the state.
Next steps:
Plan to attend the BEAD application training- If you’re planning to apply for BEAD funding, these meetings are critical. The Washington State Broadband Office (WSBO) will be hosting four upcoming training sessions for the BEAD application process. Registration is required.
- Checklist and maps – Oct. 30, 1 p.m. and Nov. 7, 2 p.m.
- BEAD application and Zoom grants portal – Nov. 14, 2 p.m., Nov. 20, 2 p.m.
Keep checking Washington’s Internet for All website for the most up-to-date information on the BEAD process and subscribe to email updates on the site.
Gather all the required application checklist items – WSBO has also released its Oct. 14, 2024-updated version of its Getting Ready for the BEAD Checklist document. One key update is allowing applicants to submit two budgets: One for the required 100% fiber project, and another for a hybrid project using alternate technology (deemed reliable by the NTIA) in the same application. Project mapping is also being updated; WSBO continues to remove locations from BEAD eligibility based on federal funding awards for broadband projects that weren’t announced at the time of Washington’s challenge process completion. This checklist document guides the entire BEAD application process and outlines required attachments, eligibility criteria, and other critical considerations for applicants.
Stay updated via WSBO’s office hours – The Washington State Broadband Office is inviting the public to its new Office Hours meetings. These meetings share technical information about WSBO’s work for those working to make the Internet for All a reality in Washington State. Get programmatic information and technical assistance relating to the BEAD application process, broadband equity work, and other WSBO programs. Find registration links on WSBO’s Internet for All page prior to each event.
Connect with your local BAT – If you’re not directly a BEAD applicant but are interested in broadband developments in your own community or want to participate on a local level, connect with your county’s Broadband Action Team (BAT). These community-driven collaborations help identify connectivity and accessibility needs in given communities. Check out this county-by-county list of Washington State BATs. Know of others but not seeing yours? Just email [email protected] to get listed.
NoaNet is a non-profit public broadband organization owned by public utilities that has been serving our region since 2000. NoaNet operates with a mission to enhance broadband access and services in Washington State and the Pacific Northwest. Our primary focus is on supporting the development of broadband infrastructure and programs to bridge the digital divide and bring the advantages of advanced connectivity to rural communities throughout the region.