BEAD Program Update as of June 17, 2025: The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) requires a notice to all Unlicensed Fixed Wireless (UNLW) providers. That notice can be found on this website in the box to the right. 

BEAD Program Update as of June 11, 2025: The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) released an updated policy notice on Friday, June 6. Our office is currently reviewing all of the new mandatory requirements to determine how they will affect South Dakota. Every state, including ours, is required to open a new “Benefit of the Bargain” application round, which we will initiate in the coming weeks. You can find the updated policy notice here. 

The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, provides $42.45 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to expand high-speed Internet access by funding planning, infrastructure deployment, and adoption programs across the country.

South Dakota will use these funds to build on the strong foundational layer of broadband infrastructure the State has set forth. The State views this as a means to continue implementing its vision of creating economic opportunity and bridging the digital divide in the State.

NTIA APPROVED – VOLUME 1
Volume 1 explains how South Dakota will run its BEAD Challenge Process. Required for BEAD, the Challenge Process – an opportunity for providers, nonprofits and local governments to challenge unserved and underserved locations in South Dakota. Volume 1 also outlines existing broadband funding, establishes unserved and underserved locations on the Federal Communication Commission’s National Broadband Map and defines BEAD-eligible Community Anchor Institutions.

NTIA APPROVED – VOLUME 2
Volume 2 outlines defined objectives for broadband infrastructure projects, transparent subgrantee selection processes and the active participation of eligible entities, all aimed at providing affordable broadband service options to residents.

FIVE YEAR ACTION PLAN
The five year plan provides more detailed information about the current state of broadband in South Dakota, the State’s efforts to expand broadband so far, and the initiatives that it will be able to undertake through the BEAD Program.