New Tools

PSC: New Wisconsin Broadband Almanac Released

In early April, the Wisconsin Broadband Office published its new digital Wisconsin Broadband Almanac. Measures of broadband access, affordability, and adoption are depicted at both a statewide and community level. Users can dive into detailed analysis of specific counties and municipalities by using the County-Community view.

The Almanac will serve as a tool for sharing the state’s progress towards high-speed internet for all Wisconsinites. Users can also employ data in the Almanac to support community broadband planning, target adoption initiatives, and to visualize where affordability is an issue.

National Digital Inclusion Alliance: Introducing the new Digital Navigator Program Toolkit

On Friday, May 16, NDIA published its new Digital Navigator Program Toolkit. The toolkit guides users from program inception to execution and includes planning worksheets, sample interview questions, training resources, and additional materials.

Complimentary materials include a Digital Navigator Program Directory, the Digital Navigator Model, and a half-hour webinar on May 30, 2025 (details in events section).

PSC: Digital Opportunity Conference recording and slides available

Last month, the PSC hosted a virtual mini-conference to share best practices for digital inclusion initiatives and to highlight current efforts to bridge the digital divide in Wisconsin. The event recording can be viewed on YouTube and the presentation slides can be downloaded from the PSC website.

PSC: National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Permitting for BEAD (additional materials)

In March, 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) produced resources for the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Permitting for the BEAD program. Links to the WDNR and WisDOT slide decks have been added to the PSC BEAD program website.

NTIA: ArcGIS Pro Permitting and Environmental Information Tool (APPEIT) Project Package

The NTIA is providing the ArcGIS Pro Permitting and Environmental Information Tool (APPEIT) to help federal broadband grant recipients and subgrantees identify permits and environmental factors as they plan routes for their broadband deployments. Identifying permit requirements early, initiating pre-application coordination with permitting agencies, and avoiding environmental impacts help drive successful infrastructure projects. The public release of the APPEIT tool supports government-wide efforts to improve permitting and explore how online and digital technologies can promote efficient environmental reviews. An overview and detailed instructions can be found in the APPEIT user manual.

Wisconsin Broadband Office & NTIA Updates

Digital Equity Capacity Grant Closed
On May 13, 2025, the Wisconsin Broadband Office issued an important update regarding the Digital Equity Capacity Grant. Due to federal executive action, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin closed the program application on 5/13/2025. The Commission plans to notify applicants if funding becomes available in the future.

BEAD Grant Round Two Open
Applicants approved by the PSC through the Letter of Intent process are eligible to apply for 1,376 project units in the second round of the subgranting process which closes Thursday, May 29, 2025. The Commission published guidance on round two and an Excel workbook containing the available project units in the Electronic Records Filing System (ERF) under docket 5-BD-2025.

Nonprofit Access Grant Awardees Announced
The Commission awarded a total of $500,000 to fourteen applicants as part of the 2025 Universal Service Fund (USF) Nonprofit Access Grant Program. Awardees will assist low-income households and people with disabilities to access affordable telecommunications services in Wisconsin.

BEAD Waiver Notice
According to a public notice issued by NTIA, a comprehensive review of the BEAD Program is underway. A forthcoming Policy Notice will contain new programmatic guidance, necessitating additional time for states to submit their final proposals to NTIA. Under this 90-day extension, the deadline for the Wisconsin Broadband Office to submit its final proposal to NTIA will shift from the end of July to the end October 2025.

NTIA’s Guide to Streamlined Endangered Species Act (ESA) Compliance for Broadband Deployments
Last month the NTIA released guidance on streamlined options for Endangered Species Act (ESA) compliance for broadband deployments. Through a collaboration with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the NTIA is expanding the ability to complete Section 7 reviews for linear projects online, using the Information for Planning and Conservation (IPaC) system. These options can save 60 or more days in consultation time (and associated resources) and still ensure the protection of listed species and habitats.