FCC Approves Missouri’s $1.7 Billion Broadband Expansion

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has approved Missouri’s proposal for over $1.7 billion in broadband funding through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program.

Why it matters: This funding is expected to benefit around 200,000 homes and businesses, addressing more than 400,000 residents without reliable internet access in Missouri.

The details:

• Currently, 11% of Missourians lack internet access, and an additional 5% have limited access to broadband services.
• The Missouri Office of Broadband Development (OBD) will conduct two rounds of competitive grants, asking Internet service providers to submit plans to reach the 200,000 unserved locations.
• After receiving the grants, Internet service providers will have up to four years to complete the projects.
• The Missouri Office of Broadband Development has until July 24, 2025, to submit its final proposal, detailing a specific plan to serve each unserved location in the state.

What they’re saying:

• “We’ll be conducting two rounds of competitive grants and asking Internet service providers to give us plans to reach those 200,000 unserved locations,” said Adam Thorp of the OBD.
• “This is no longer a luxury. This is something that your kids need now to send in their homework. This is something that your aunt needs now to schedule her telehealth visit,” emphasized NTIA Deputy Director for BEAD, Courtney Dozier.

The NTIA has also approved Tennessee’s initial proposal for the BEAD program, allowing the state to request over $813 million to begin its implementation. Meanwhile, Kentucky has opened its Broadband Grants Management Portal for user registration, marking the first step for entities vying for a part of the state’s $1.1 billion federal BEAD program allocation.

What’s next: The approval of these proposals and the opening of grant portals represent significant steps towards improving internet access and connectivity in Missouri, Tennessee, and Kentucky, bridging the digital divide and ensuring all residents have the necessary tools for modern life.

Full story

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved Missouri’s plan to use $1.7 billion in federal funds to expand broadband internet access across the state. The funds come from the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, part of the Biden-Harris administration’s “Internet for All” initiative. According to the Missouri Office of Broadband Development (OBD), 11% of Missourians currently lack internet access, and an additional 5% have limited access to broadband services.

The funding is expected to benefit around 200,000 homes and businesses, addressing more than 400,000 residents without reliable internet. Adam Thorp of the OBD said, “We’ll be conducting two rounds of competitive grants and asking Internet service providers to give us plans to reach those 200,000 unserved locations. Then we’ll be awarding funds to providers throughout that period after each of those rounds.”

However, the implementation of these changes will not be immediate.

Missouri’s broadband expansion funding plan

Thorp noted, “After they’ve received the grant, Internet service providers have four years at most to complete one of these projects.”

NTIA Deputy Director for BEAD, Courtney Dozier, emphasized the importance of internet access for all citizens. “This is no longer a luxury.

This is something that your kids need now to send in their homework. This is something that your aunt needs now to schedule her telehealth visit,” Dozier said. The Missouri Office of Broadband Development has until July 24, 2025, to submit its final proposal, detailing a specific plan to serve each unserved location in the state.

This funding represents a significant step towards closing the digital divide and ensuring that all Missourians have access to reliable and affordable internet services.