The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program aims to help residents and businesses gain access to affordable high-speed internet through investments in broadband planning, deployment, mapping, and adoption activities. Visit the DCED BEAD Program page for additional program details.
On February 9, 2026, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) approved the PBDA’s BEAD Final Proposal. The BEAD Final Proposal provides a list of NTIA provisionally approved projects for funding under the BEAD Program. The proposal will now proceed through the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) as part of the notice of award preparation process.
Following NIST approval, the below outlines anticipated next steps of the BEAD Program process. Please note that this may be updated as necessary.
PBDA
NTIA
On Thursday, September 4, 2025, the PBDA submitted the Draft BEAD Final Proposal to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).
PBDA sought comments to the Draft BEAD Final Proposal in advance of submitting to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) for review.
Comment period opened: August 22, 2025
Comment period closed: August 29, 2025 at 5:00 PM (ET) (CLOSED)
PBDA sought comments to the proposed BEAD Template Agreement to standardize terms and conditions to the fullest extent possible, to facilitate transparency, and to avoid delay with negotiations with individual grantees.
Comment period opened: August 6, 2025
Comment period closed: August 15, 2025 at 5:00PM ET (CLOSED)
If you have any questions about the BEAD program you may contact us at ra-dcpbda_bead@pa.gov
