Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program
The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program is a federal program that provides $42 billion nationwide to expand high-speed broadband access. BEAD was funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and is overseen by the National Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA). BEAD prioritizes unserved locations that have no internet access or limited access under 25/3 Mbps and underserved locations that only have access under 100/20 Mbps.
Indiana was awarded $868 million in BEAD funds to ensure that every Indiana resident has access to high-speed, reliable, affordable broadband access.
The Indiana Broadband Office is planning and currently determining exactly how BEAD funds will be spent in the state. The first step towards this planning is the drafting and submission of the Initial Proposal, a document that contains two volumes and describes how the Indiana Broadband Office will determine which addresses, called broadband serviceable locations (BSLs), in Indiana are eligible for these funds and how funds will be allocated and awarded to Internet Service Providers (ISPs).
Each volume of the Initial Proposal will be posted online for a 30-day public comment period.
BEAD Initial Proposal Volume 2
The Indiana Broadband Office’s Initial Proposal Volume 2 was available for public comment until December 3, 2023. NTIA has approved Indiana's Volume 2 as of July 2024.
This document adheres to NTIA guidelines, which are available for review here.
Download Initial Proposal Vol 2
We want to hear your questions and comments!
The Indiana Broadband Office’s public comment period for the Initial Proposal has concluded, but your questions can still be answered. We encourage Indiana residents, community organizations, businesses, local units of government, and other groups to review the Initial Proposal and email IndianaBroadband@iot.in.gov with any questions.
Initial Proposal Volume 1
Initial Proposal Volume 1 is available to download. It has been approved by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).
This document adheres to NTIA guidelines, which are available for review here.
BEAD Local Government Letter of Support
Local government officials can participate in the subgrantee selection process by writing letters of support for internet service providers that will be submitted with their project applications. This document provides important information about the letter of support for local governments.
Download the LetterSmall Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration offers several resources for internet service providers to access. They are found at the below links.
BEAD Five-Year Plan
IBO has submitted the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Five-Year Plan plan to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to show how the state of Indiana can best incorporate digital equity into broadband planning.
Download the Plan