The Arkansas State Broadband Office has unveiled the state’s final proposal for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, marking a significant step toward achieving universal broadband coverage.
The plan is now open for public review and comment.
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders emphasized the broader impact of the BEAD Program, stating, “The BEAD Program is about more than faster internet—it’s about opportunity.”
Arkansas set to receive over $1 billion for broadband boost: a gamechanger for the state
She added that by connecting every community with high-speed access, the state is providing students with tools for success, entrepreneurs with business growth opportunities, and families with better healthcare access.
According to a release, the $1 billion initiative is the largest public broadband investment in Arkansas history.
The program attracted 730 applications from 33 internet service providers, with 23 providers selected for preliminary awards.
This competitive process secured coverage for over 79,000 homes and businesses at an average cost of $3,891 per location, showcasing Arkansas’ efficiency in the broadband market.
Glen Howie, Director of the Arkansas State Broadband Office, highlighted the program’s success, noting, “During the initial application process, 99.9% of all eligible locations in the State received at least one bid, and 99% received bids from two or more internet service providers.”
He added that Arkansas achieved coverage for every location, demonstrating the strength of the market-driven approach.
The proposal includes adjustments required by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s BEAD Restructuring Policy Notice, resulting in a $275 million reduction from prior estimates, with the total BEAD Grant Outlay now at $308.3 million.
Once implemented, the program will connect 76% of locations with fiber, 16% with low-Earth-orbit satellite service, 7% with licensed fixed wireless, and 1% with hybrid technologies.
Arkansans are encouraged to review the plan and provide feedback by August 29.
Supporting documents and a public comment form are available on the Arkansas BEAD Webpage.
The proposal is set to be submitted to the NTIA by September 4, with construction expected to begin in the first half of 2026, pending approvals.