BEAD house logo

BEAD timelime graphic download (PNG)The BEAD program is administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and allocates $147 million to Massachusetts. The BEAD program prioritizes broadband serviceable locations that are unserved (below a 25/3 mpbs threshold), and underserved (below a 100/20 mbps threshold). MBI is committed to achieving universal service in Massachusetts by bringing affordable, reliable high-speed internet to every home in the state.

The BEAD program will primarily fund infrastructure projects through the Deployment phase which will connect the remaining unserved and underserved locations in the State. Once universal service is achieved, any remaining BEAD funds will be invested to enhance Community Anchor Institute connectivity and support digital equity initiatives. 

To unlock BEAD funding MBI has completed the following:  

          BEAD Deployment Public Notice     BEAD Final Proposal RFP

BEAD Pre-Qualification Process

MBI administered a pre-qualification process for the BEAD Program. This process supported the review and approval of subgrantee applications to certify that potential applicants meet the minimum necessary qualification requirements. Potential BEAD applicants were strongly encouraged, but not required to prequalify now for BEAD deployment grant eligibility. Applicants that elected not to participate in the initial, standalone prequalification process will still be subject to a full review of qualifications during the funding round(s) that they participate in.

The pre-qualification process opened on September 26, 2024, and was conducted in accordance with the procedures set forth in Volume II of the BEAD Initial Proposal for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as approved by NTIA. The process closed on October 28, 2024. 

       Pre-Qualification Guidelines
          
Amendment #1 to Pre-Qualification Guidelines

Massachusetts Challenge Process

Massachusetts facilitated the BEAD Challenge Process during the summer of 2024. The Challenge Process was a crucial step to ensure the accuracy of internet availability data and maps for MBI to deploy funding to expand broadband access across the state.  

The Massachusetts Challenge Portal was based on the Federal Communication Commission's (FCC) map, with version 4 of the CostQuest fabric data and availability data as of December 31, 2023. 

Throughout the challenge phase of the BEAD Challenge Process, registered users entered 33,665 challenges into the portal. An additional 14,449 challenges were created as pre-challenge modifications (3,548) and area and multiple dwelling unit (MDU) challenges (10,901), bringing the total number of challenges to 48,114.

During the Rebuttal Phase of the Challenge Process MBI received 5091 rebuttals.

Massachusetts Broadband Map          BEAD Challenge & Rebuttal Data