Washington state has received a federal green light for its final plan under the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program — the national push to extend high-speed internet to places that still don’t have adequate service.
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration signed off on the BEAD proposal, giving the Washington State Broadband Office authority to start contracting with internet service providers and begin construction.
The approved plan directs $736 million in federal BEAD funding and $112 million in state match toward connecting about 166,500 homes and small businesses across 238 project areas. Combined with private match funding and other contributions, the total investment tops $1 billion.
Of the locations being funded, 76% are completely unserved (no qualifying high-speed service) while the remaining 24% are underserved.
“This is a transformative moment for Washington,” WSBO Director Jordan Arnold said in a statement. “For rural and underserved communities, internet access is a lifeline to economic opportunity, education, health care, and the modern world.”
The buildout breaks down roughly as fixed wireless (38% of locations), fiber (35%), and low-earth orbit satellite (27%). Nine of the 238 project areas are on tribal lands.
The inclusion of low-earth-orbit satellite could be relevant for SpaceX’s Starlink and Amazon Leo, both of which have operations tied to satellite connectivity in Washington state. It’s not yet clear exactly how much each provider will receive, but both have emerged as major winners of BEAD funding nationally. They each also have substantial satellite manufacturing operations in the state. Update: SpaceX will receive $45.8 million and Amazon will receive $9.25 million.
With NTIA approval in hand, the WSBO will now formally announce awards, execute contracts with providers, and begin overseeing construction. All projects must be completed within four years, though the office said some could break ground this year.
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