Greetings from the Extension Broadband Team!
Many of you have questioned the need for local broadband involvement at this time. We want to encourage your local broadband teams to continue the good work you have been doing. Wisconsin still has a long way to go until BEAD subcontracts are finalized. It is important that communities continue to keep lines of communication open with service providers as they work through the process.
For BEAD to work and be sustainable, residents will need to adopt the technology. Now may be a good time for communities to be asking what role they may play in getting everyone online.
To stay on top of deadlines we encourage you to sign up for the Wisconsin Broadband Office newsletter and the Extension Community Economic Development newsletter. Please share this resource with your county or community’s broadband stakeholders.
Newsletter Contents
- Public Service Commission of Wisconsin: National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Permitting for BEAD
- Broadband Deployment: Sharing Right of Way Assets with Existing Utilities – Recording and Materials Available
- Webinar: Digital Equity Capacity Grant – Information and Overview 4/10/2025
- Meeting: Digital Navigator Network 4/9/2025
- Workshop: Spring Tribal & Rural Broadband Workshop, April 29-30, 2025
Wisconsin Broadband Office Updates
- BEAD Volume 2: Subgranting Process
- Wisconsin BEAD Subgrant Round One Summary
- Commission Lifeline Outreach Grants Accepting Applications
- Wisconsin Digital Equity Capacity Grant Accepting Applications
New Tools
Public Service Commission of Wisconsin: National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Permitting for BEAD Playlist
The Public Service Commission (PSC), Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR), Wisconsin State Historic Preservation Office (WI SHPO) and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) developed a webinar playlist for BEAD applicants and interested stakeholders. The following resources are designed for entities undertaking a BEAD funded broadband deployment project. Here is the webinar playlist on YouTube. Related slide decks can also be found on the PSC BEAD Webpage.
Broadband Deployment: Sharing Right of Way Assets with Existing Utilities – Recording & Materials Available
Couldn’t join us for the March 6 webinar? The recording and additional materials are now available.
Events
Webinar: Digital Equity Capacity Grant – Information and Overview
On Thursday, April 10, 2025, PSC staff will host a webinar: Wisconsin Digital Equity Capacity Grant – Information and Overview. The webinar will include a breakdown of the grant’s two program tracks (Digital Navigators and Digital Opportunity Coalitions), a description of the application process and eligibility requirements, a discussion of the awarding merit criteria, federal program requirements, and a question-and-answer segment. Registration is required.
Digital Navigator Network
As more Digital Navigators are being hired in Wisconsin, UW-Madison Extension is facilitating a Digital Navigator Network. This statewide initiative includes non-profits, governmental entities, and others engaged in digital skills development across Wisconsin.
These virtual meetings will occur the first Wednesday of each month (except for January and April) in 2025. The next meeting is Wednesday, April 9 at 10 a.m.
To join, please contact either Chris Stark or Jessica Beckendorf
Spring Tribal & Rural Broadband Workshop
The College of Menominee Nation will host a Spring Tribal & Rural Broadband Workshop at the Keshena campus. The agenda includes hands-on activities, networking opportunities, presentations on policy and collaboration, and expert panels on Tribal broadband implementation.
Who is this for? Workshop registration is open to:
- Tribal members, government and staff representatives working on broadband access and adoption
- Tribal broadband committee members
- Statewide, national and Tribal-serving agencies and organizations
Date: April 29-30, 2025 (9 AM Tuesday – 2:15 PM Wednesday)
Location: College of Menominee Nation, Keshena, WI
How to register: https://form.jotform.com/250836765775169
The College of Menominee Nation is offering limited financial assistance for Tribal Entities to attend the workshop.
Wisconsin Broadband Office Updates
BEAD Volume 2: Subgranting Process
The second phase of program implementation is the BEAD subgranting process. The State of Wisconsin’s BEAD Initial Proposal Volume 2 was approved by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) on July 29, 2024. Approval of Volume 2 began a 365-day timeline to conduct a grant process and identify an awardee and technology to be deployed to all eligible locations.
The subgranting process commenced with the Letter of Intent (LOI) Phase, which determined entities qualified to compete for BEAD funding. The deadline to submit an LOI was October 1, 2024. The Commission received 35 LOIs from potential BEAD applicants. The LOI Phase concluded on January 2, 2025, with 30 LOIs being approved. For a list of the approved LOIs, see BEAD Round One Sub-Granting Selection Process to Begin.
The application phase began on January 13, 2025. Entities with approved LOIs were eligible to compete for BEAD fundng for specific eligible locations in Wisconsin. The Commission anticipates to conclude the application phase by this summer. For up to date information on the application phase see the BEAD Grant Webpage and docket 5-BD-2025.
Wisconsin BEAD Subgrant Round One Summary
On Tuesday February 25, 2025, Wisconsin’s BEAD Round one closed. The Commission received 425 applications, requesting just under $3 billion in funding. The submitted applications include 188,926 of the 199,067 (95 percent) eligible locations. Commission staff will review and score the applications over the coming weeks and announce the forthcoming opening of BEAD grant round two. A letter summarizing round one is available here.
Funding Opportunities that Promote ‘Internet for All’
| Funding Opportunity | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Board of Commissioners of Public Lands Loan Program – For public purpose projects including economic development, local infrastructure, capital equipment & vehicles, building repairs/improvements, and refinancing existing liabilities. | Rolling |
| Lifeline program for providers – eligible telecommunications providers will be reimbursed for discounts provided to consumers through this program. | None |
| Lifeline program for consumers – provides low-income WI residents discounts for the cost of phone, cell, and internet services. | None |
| Community Connect Grant – The purpose of the Community Connect Program is to provide financial assistance in the form of grants to eligible applicants that will provide, on a “community -oriented connectivity” basis, broadband service that fosters economic growth and delivers enhanced educational, health care, and public safety benefits. The application window for the FY2025 round of funding is now open and will close on April 21, 2025, 11:59 a.m. Eastern Time. | April 21, 2025 |
| Wisconsin Digital Equity Capacity Grant – The Wisconsin Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program (5-DEC-2025) provides grant funding to eligible entities to support the implementation of the Wisconsin Digital Equity Plan. The funding for this program is provided by the (NTIA) through the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program established as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. In this current round, the Commission may award a total of $9.5 million in grants under the Digital Equity Capacity Program for a performance period of up to three years. Applications are due by 1:30 p.m. C.T. on May 20, 2025. See the grant webpage or the application instructions for additional information. | May 20, 2025 |
Broadband Toolkit
We are always updating our toolkit with new or expanded resources. Save this link and come back often!
go.wisc.edu/broadband toolkit
Have a question? Reach out to Extension’s Broadband Team!
An EEO/AA employer, University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming, including Title VI, Title IX, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act requirements.
Incentivizing Broadband Projects: Board of Commissioners of Public Lands
What's Next in Wisconsin Broadband, August 2024
Spring 2024 Broadband Workshops: Agenda and Resources
Broadband Expansion in Wisconsin: Case Studies
