Biden-Harris Administration Approves Colorado and New Hampshire’s “Internet for All” Initial Proposals

WASHINGTON –?The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has approved Colorado and New Hampshire’s Initial Proposals for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, a cornerstone of the Biden-Harris Administration’s “Internet for All” initiative.  

This approval enables Colorado and New Hampshire to request access to funding and begin implementation of the BEAD program—a major step towards closing the digital divide and meeting the President’s goal of connecting everyone in America with affordable, reliable, high-speed Internet service.  

Today’s action allows states to request access to:  

• New Hampshire: More than $196 million
• Colorado: More than $826 million

“Thanks to President Biden’s commitment to investing in America, New Hampshire and Colorado can move forward with implementing their plans to close the digital divide in their states,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. " I commend the teams in Colorado and New Hampshire for creating a strong plan to ensure everyone in their states have access to affordable, reliable high-speed Internet service.”

The BEAD program is a $42.45 billion state grant program authorized by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The states, territories and Washington D.C. were allocated funding to deploy or upgrade high-speed Internet networks to ensure that everyone has access to reliable, affordable, high-speed Internet service.  

“President Biden has been clear. We’re going to connect everyone to affordable, reliable high-speed Internet service,” said Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves. “I salute the work that Colorado and New Hampshire have done in ensuring their communities they serve have the necessary connections to thrive in the digital economy.”

Once deployment goals are met, any remaining funding can be used on high-speed Internet adoption, training, and workforce development efforts, among other eligible uses.

“Today, Colorado and New Hampshire can move their Internet for All efforts from planning to action,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information and NTIA Administrator Alan Davidson. "I congratulate the Colorado and New Hampshire State Broadband offices for developing a strong proposal for how they will connect all of their state’s residents to high-speed Internet service.”

BEAD-eligible entities—the 56 states, territories, and the District of Columbia—are required to submit for NTIA’s approval an Initial Proposal detailing how they plan to spend their BEAD allocation to deliver high-speed Internet access to all unserved and underserved locations within their borders. All states submitted their Initial Proposals by December 27, 2023.  

NTIA provides updates on the status of all 56 states and territories’ Initial Proposal.

NTIA will continue to announce approval of Initial Proposals on a rolling basis.

One year from Initial Proposal approval, states must submit a Final Proposal that details, among other things, the outcome of the subgrantee selection process and how the state will ensure universal coverage.

Here’s what stakeholders are saying about the announcement:  

Colorado

“Colorado is excited to expand reliable, high-speed broadband across our state and this approval of our plans for BEAD funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will accelerate those efforts,” said Colorado Governor Jared Polis. “I was pleased to be the first governor in the nation to support this law and I thank the Biden administration for their partnership. We look forward to seeing even more Colorado households get access to the Internet they need to thrive.”

“Affordable, high-speed broadband is essential for modern American life. Colorado helps lead the way on successful implementation of the BEAD Program, which will bridge the digital divide for communities across Colorado -- especially our rural areas, low-income neighborhoods, and communities of color,” said Senator Michael Bennet. 

“Our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the largest investment in high-speed and affordable broadband ever, is closing the digital divide for Tribes and small business owners in rural communities across Colorado,” said Senator John Hickenlooper. “We’re ready to finish what we’ve started.”

New Hampshire

“New Hampshire has moved faster than any other state in the country to build out our broadband infrastructure and provide residents with access to fast, reliable service at one of the lowest costs per location nationally,” said New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu. “We look forward to continuing that work to help ensure the Granite State remains competitive in retaining and attracting workforce, business, residents, and telehealth opportunities in the future!”

“Access to affordable and reliable high speed internet service is critical for millions of working families and businesses—especially in underserved communities," said Senator Jeanne Shaheen. “As a lead negotiator of the broadband provisions in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, I’m pleased to see that New Hampshire is moving forward in the process, bringing the state closer to accessing nearly $200 million and closing the digital divide.” 

“Bringing reliable, high-speed internet to more areas of New Hampshire is a critical part of supporting people and small businesses across the state,” said Senator Maggie Hassan. “One of my key priorities in helping develop the bipartisan infrastructure law was ensuring that it invested in necessary infrastructure for high-speed internet, and now through this law, New Hampshire is a major step closer to expanding access to high-speed Internet for tens of thousands of Granite Staters.”

“Access to quality, reliable broadband is crucial to growing New Hampshire’s economy and helping our communities thrive, particularly in rural and historically underserved areas,” said Congresswoman Ann Kuster. “These significant resources made available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s BEAD Program will expand broadband connectivity to more families, businesses, and communities across the Granite State and help to close the digital divide.”

“Expanding high-speed Internet in New Hampshire helps close the digital equity gap, enabling our businesses to compete, communities to thrive, and Granite Staters to succeed,” said Congressman Chris Pappas. “I supported the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to deliver critical investments into our communities from broadband to water infrastructure, and I’m pleased to see New Hampshire moving forward in this process. I will continue working to secure resources to improve quality of life and education and ensure broadband is available to all.”

###

Internet for All

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes a historic $65 billion investment to expand affordable and reliable high-speed Internet access in communities across the U.S. NTIA recently launched a series of new high-speed Internet grant programs funded by the law that will build high-speed Internet infrastructure across the country, create more low-cost high-speed Internet service options, and address the digital equity and inclusion needs in our communities.

For more information on the Biden-Harris Administration’s high-speed Internet service programs, please visit?InternetforAll.gov.

About the National Telecommunications and Information Administration    

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, is the Executive Branch agency that advises the President on telecommunications and information policy issues. NTIA’s programs and policymaking focus largely on expanding broadband Internet access and adoption in America, expanding the use of spectrum by all users, advancing public safety communications, and ensuring that the Internet remains an engine for innovation and economic growth.