BISMARCK, N.D. (KXNET) – North Dakota could become even more connected in the coming years.
According to a North Dakota Information Technology press release, the State Telecommunications and Information Administration approved Volume 1 of the state’s preliminary proposal to implement the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Plan, also known as the BEAD Plan.
“We are pleased to have received approval of the initial Volume 1 proposal and are now able to begin the next step in the process,” Craig Felchle, chief technology officer of North Dakota Information Technology, said in the release.
“The ultimate goal is to bridge the digital divide, and this milestone brings us one step closer to achieving our goal of ensuring all North Dakotans have access to broadband service.”
The BEAD program will enable North Dakota to identify and correct areas that lack adequate internet access. These include North Dakota institutions with internet speeds below 25/3 megabits per second or below 100/20 megabits per second that can apply.
Specific sites or community agencies are eligible for grant funding, known as the “challenge process.” However, only nonprofits, local and tribal governments, and broadband service providers can participate in this process.
Residents cannot, but we urge them to work with local governments and nonprofits to help address the challenge of low-quality internet access.
So far, the FCC National Broadband Map has identified 4,000 locations that are eligible to receive grants to improve Internet access.
The challenge process will begin next month and those eligible to apply for funding can submit evidence.
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration will make a final decision in early June.