BEAD Planning Overview
The Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program provides $42.45 billion across all states to expand high-speed Internet access by funding planning, infrastructure deployment and adoption programs.
Nevada has received $5 million from the US Department of Commerce, National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), which administers the BEAD program, to fund planning activities, including:
- Research and data collection, including initial identification of unserved locations and underserved locations;
- Publications, outreach, and communications support;
- Technical assistance to potential subgrantees, including through workshops and events;
- Developing an informed, cohesive Five-Year Action Plan.
The BEAD planning process is an essential part of the High Speed Nevada Initiative and the State’s goal that every Nevadan has access to affordable, reliable and scalable Internet service. Over the next 270 days, OSIT will use planning dollars to create a Five-Year Action Plan. Once the plan is approved by the NTIA, the State will unlock additional funding to implement the plan.
As a part of the planning process, OSIT will work with communities across the state to assess needs for infrastructure and adoption. OSIT has created a series of maps with different data and metrics that describe the digital divide.
Getting Involved
There are a number of ways to get involved in the planning process:
Making Sure Every Nevadan is Counted: The federal government will allocate funding to Nevada for places that do not have fast, reliable broadband service. The State needs help make sure that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has the most accurate information about broadband accessibility and quality in every community in Nevada. Your input will improve the accuracy of the map and ensure that federal funding for broadband is targeted at the areas of Nevada that need it the most. If the information about the broadband service offerings at your home needs to be corrected, we ask you to please submit an availability challenge at https://broadbandmap.fcc.gov/home. Submitting an availability challenge is easy. Enter your address in the website. Select “Availability Challenge” on the right hand side above the listing of providers. Fill out the information and submit.
Submit a Speed Test: If you would like to find out how fast the internet service is at your home, take a speed test. The results will also help inform an overall picture of internet speeds across the state.
Participate in the Planning Process: Local engagement is vital to our planning efforts. We believe in an inclusive, thorough, and fully statewide planning process. If you would like to add your voice to the plan, we want to hear from you! Please complete this form and we will be in contact with you.
BEAD Request for Information No. 2003-001
Please find a Request for Information (RFI) issued by the Nevada Governor’s Office of Science, Innovation and Technology (OSIT). The intent of this RFI is to obtain public input regarding the development of its Five-Year Broadband Action Plan, the solicitation process and structure of future OSIT funding opportunities (RFPs), and the structure of broadband infrastructure programs after funding has been awarded. Specifically, OSIT seeks input on its administration of the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program within the Infrastructure & Investment Jobs Act (IIJA - also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law).
- Failure to respond to this RFI in whole or in part will not disqualify any vendor from participation in any subsequent solicitation regarding this matter.
- Respondents are not required to respond to every question in order to submit a valid response. Respondents may answer as many or as few questions as they wish.
- Responses to this RFI are due May 3, 2023.
- Get BEAD RFI
More information about Nevada's approach to BEAD