The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program is a federal program from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). This program provides funding primarily for last mile connection to residences (i.e., Internet buildout to the home) in their respective communities. BEAD is the largest of all #InternetForAll programs, with a total of $45 billion available to the 50 states and territories. Hawaiʻi will see a total of $149.5 million under this program.
BEAD prioritizes Internet buildouts in the following order:
- Unserved locations: Locations with NO wired infrastructure to access the Internet
- Underserved locations: Locations with wired Internet infrastructure that DO NOT support the minimum speeds of the #InternetForAll program (100Mbps download / 20Mbps upload)
- Community Anchor Institutions: Existing community organizations or public spaces that may provide access and support services to the public with less than 1Gbps download / 1Gbps upload speeds offered
Program FAQs
- Who will lead BEAD in the State?
- The University of Hawaiʻi (UH) is leading the BEAD program. UH will produce the State’s five-year action plan, initial and final proposals, and conduct the State challenge process. These outputs and the challenges received during the state challenge process will inform the locations eligible for BEAD funding identified in the competitive funding grant process.
- How can I get funding?
- Funding under BEAD will be awarded on a competitive basis. This means that UH will release a request for proposals (or another funding instrument) that potential applicants must apply to be awarded funding.
- Who is considered an eligible entity for these funding requests that UH will release?
- NTIA defines subrecipients for the state program. NTIA specifies that cooperatives, nonprofit organizations, public-private partnerships, private companies, public or private utilities, public utility districts, or local governments may not be excluded from eligibility as a subgrantee.
- What is the challenge process? Can I participate?
- The Challenge Process, conducted in 2024, was open to Internet Service Providers, nonprofit organizations, and local government units. The Challenge Process allowed these groups to refine the list of unserved, underserved, and CAI locations eligible for BEAD funding. Residents with concerns that their Internet service status was reported inaccurately, were encouraged to contact organizations participating in the Challenge Process or submit an Individual Correction, where Challengers voluntarily reviewed the information provided and submitted any potential valid challenges on their behalf. The BEAD Challenge Process concluded on December 7, 2024 and is no longer accepting submissions.
- How do I get involved?
- The UH Broadband Office encourages everyone to attend our public Broadband Information Sessions happening across the state to make sure your community’s needs are heard and met. View our calendar for any upcoming events.
There has been major changes following the June 6, 2025 BEAD Restructuring Policy Notice. Please refer to the SBLN Training Slide Deck (2025 June 13th) below for the break down of changes.
Five-Year Action Plan
Submitted in July 2023, the Five-Year Action Plan details the State’s goals to achieve universal service, expected challenges and barriers during the program duration, and the activities we expect to perform through 2027.
Initial Proposal & State Challenge
Submitted in December 2023, the Initial Proposal introduced the State’s competitive subgrantee selection and Challenge Process. The State also submitted the Initial Proposal Funding Request, allowing 20% of funds to be released to Hawaiʻi for use towards the Challenge Process, subgrantee selection process, and grant administration. The Initial Proposal was released for public comment prior to submission and approval from the NTIA, and the Challenge Process was completed in December 2024.
Final Proposal
The Final Proposal was submitted to NTIA on September 4, 2025. It includes the results of the Challenge Process and the remaining projects to be funded by the BEAD Program.