States Push Forward with Fiber-Heavy BEAD Applications
Virginia reports 91% end-to-end fiber proposals received in first funding round.
WASHINGTON, March 14, 2025 – States are moving toward the final phases of the $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program, with more than 30 states currently fielding applications from interested Internet service providers.
This week's data reinforces fiber as the leading technology choice in BEAD-funded projects, with Illinois limiting its first wave of grants to fiber-only applications and Virginia reporting that 91% of its applicants’ proposals are for fiber-to-the-home.
Here’s what we know:
Illinois
Illinois is moving forward with fiber-first BEAD investments, choosing to only award fiber applications in the first wave of its grant selection process.
