Arkansas – The Arkansas State Broadband Office released the state’s final proposal for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, officially opening the plan for public review and comment. The proposal reinforced Arkansas’ goal of achieving universal broadband coverage, ensuring every home and business in the state will have access to reliable, high-speed internet.
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the program was about more than faster internet, emphasizing its role in expanding opportunity across Arkansas. She noted that universal access would give students tools to succeed, support business growth, and improve healthcare access in communities across the state.
The $1 billion BEAD Program represents the largest public broadband investment in Arkansas history. Interest was strong, with 730 applications submitted by 33 internet service providers. Of those, 23 were selected for preliminary awards. The program will extend coverage to more than 79,000 homes and businesses at one of the lowest average costs in the country, $3,891 per location.
Glen Howie, director of the Arkansas State Broadband Office, said the competitive process secured bids for nearly all eligible locations, with the remaining areas addressed through further negotiations. He said the outcome demonstrated both the effectiveness of the state’s market-driven approach and the commitment of providers to serving residents.
The final proposal also incorporated adjustments required by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s BEAD Restructuring Policy Notice, reducing the state’s total BEAD grant outlay to $308.3 million, down $275 million from previous estimates.
Once implemented, 76 percent of locations will be connected by fiber, 16 percent by low-Earth-orbit satellite, 7 percent by licensed fixed wireless, and 1 percent through hybrid technologies.
The proposal is open for public comment through Friday, August 29, with submission to NTIA scheduled for September 4. Pending federal approval by December 4 and final authorization by the Arkansas General Assembly, construction is expected to begin in the first half of 2026.