Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program

The BEAD Program will provide $797.4 million to build broadband infrastructure and develop programs to expand high-speed internet access.

BEAD is administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) of the US Department of Commerce. The Oklahoma Broadband Office (OBO) will manage the competitive grant process, subgrantee selection process and awardee monitoring and compliance.

BEAD NET Request for Information

The Request for Information window closed on Friday, February 21 at 11:59pm. The OBO received robust feedback from the business community about potential ways to serve all Oklahomans most efficiently with 483 RFIs submitted.

Network Expansion Territories will now be created for the BEAD application process. Announcements regarding the BEAD application process will be made in the coming weeks.

NETs will be the basis for the BEAD Subgrantee Selection process. The RFI process was the one opportunity for companies to request changes to proposed NETs.

BEAD Pre-Qualification

Pre-Qualification is now avaiilable for organizations interested in participating in the BEAD Subgrantee Selection Process. It is a requirement before organizations can apply for BEAD funding. Questions will be related to an organization's operational history, finances and personnel, among other topics. An organization will complete the pre-qualification within the BEAD portal. If an organization participated in the BEAD Challenge Process, request access to the portal by emailing okhelpdesk@ready.net. Use the subject line, "OPT-IN" and include associated company name, your name, and your email.

For organizations new to the BEAD program, register for portal access here.

Access the Pre-Qualification Guide here.

Access the BEAD Portal here.

Organizations will have through April to complete Pre-Qualification. An exact date for the submission deadline will be announced once the Subgrantee Selection process begins.

Tribal Broadband Permitting Workshop

On Wednesday, February 26, the OBO hosted a Tribal Broadband Permitting Workshop on February 26 from 11am-1pm at the Patience S. Latting Northwest Library, 5600 NW 122^nd St., Oklahoma City.

This event focused on broadband permitting challenges, potential solutions, and improving coordination among key agencies.

Listen to the session here.

Subgrantee Selection Listening Session

On Wednesday, February 26, the OBO hosted a Listening Session on the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program Subgrantees Selection Process. This session was an opportunity for Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to engage with state and federal officials and gain insights into the selection process and compliance expectations. Representatives from the US Department of Commerce, Office of Inspector General, were present take questions.

View the PowerPoint here.

BEAD Subgrantee Selection FAQ

BEAD Subgrantee Selection FAQ Updated 8:00 a.m. CT, February 20, 2025

BEAD Participant Resources

BEAD Application Primer Version 1.2

BEAD Network Expansion Territories (NET) Primer

NTIA BEAD NOFO

Eligible Entity Requirements

CostQuest Licenses

To access appropriate location data, the Oklahoma Broadband Office is requiring organizations that want to participate in BEAD to acquire a CostQuest license. This will allow an organization to view location data for mapping and planning purposes. To learn more click here.

Tier D License - Entities that participate in Federal Broadband Programs and will file challenges during state led challenges processes or relevant reporting will need a Tier D license. Examples: Recipients, sub-recipients, and prospective recipients of federal broadband funds from Federal Broadband Granting Agencies. Please use this link to request a license.

Tier E License - Entities that seek to participate in the BEAD program challenge processes will need a Tier E license. Examples: Units of local government, non-profits, and FCC Tier 4 organizations. Please use this link to request a license.

In addition, Eligible Entities will need to have an active FCC Registration Number (FRN), Employer Identification Number (EIN) and/or a Unique Entity Identifier through Sam.gov.

Note: Unique Entity Identifiers will be needed at the time of award.

Availability - service identified is not offered at the location
- Examples of evidence:
  - Screenshot of ISP webpage.
  - A service request was refused within the last 180 days (e.g., an email or letter from ISP).
  - Lack of suitable infrastructure (e.g., no fiber on pole).
  - A letter or email dated within the last 365 days that an ISP failed to schedule a service installation or offer an installation date within 10 business days of a request.
  - A letter or email dated within the last 365 days indicating that an ISP requested more than the standard installation fee to connect this location, or that an ISP quoted an amount more than the ISP’s standard installation charge to connect service at the location.
Technology - technology indicated for the location is incorrect
- Examples of evidence:
  - Manufacturer and model number of residential gateway (CPE) that demonstrates the service is delivered via a specific technology.
Enforceable commitment - broadband will/will not be deployed at the location by the date established in the deployment obligation
- Examples of evidence:
  - Enforceable commitment by service provider (e.g., authorization letter). In the case of Tribal Lands, the challenger must submit the requisite legally binding agreement between the relevant Tribal Government and the service provider for the location(s) at issue (see Section 6.2 in Volume I).
Planned Service - broadband will be deployed at the location within 12 months from the launch of the challenge process
- Examples of evidence:
  - Construction contracts or similar evidence of ongoing deployment, along with evidence that all necessary permits have been applied for or obtained.
  - Contracts or a similar binding agreement between the OBO and the ISP committing that planned service will meet the BEAD definition and requirements of reliable and qualifying broadband even if not required by its funding source (i.e., a separate federal grant program), including the expected date deployment will be completed, which must be within 12 months from the launch of the challenge process.
Data cap - available service plans have monthly data caps below 600 GB
- Examples of evidence:
  - Screenshot of ISP webpage.
  - Service description provided
    to consumer.
Business only service - residential location has service listed but is only for business purposes
- Examples of evidence:
  - Screenshot of ISP webpage.
Community Anchor Institutions (CAIs) - location should/should not be classified as a CAI (i.e. libraries, schools, hospitals, etc)
- Examples of evidence:
  - Any evidence that proves the location falls within the definitions of CAIs set by the OBO, or does not.

The office hosted live events on September 12, 13, 23 & 27 for entities interested in participating in the BEAD Challenge Process.

These events, offered online and in person, explained the challenge process and its significance to the BEAD program.

Attendees watched a demo on how to use the challenge portal. The demo was recorded for those unable to attend.

Eligible Entities include:

Internet service providers

Local/Tribal Governments

Community Anchor Institutions:
- Schools
- Libraries
- Health centers
- Public safety entities
- Institutions of higher learning
- Public housing organizations
- Community support organizations

Nonprofit organizations

Event Information

Thursday, September 12, 1:00 p.m.: Virtual Teams call. RSVP and access call using this link: https://tinyurl.com/3txm3fsp

Watch webinar

Friday, September 13, 1:30 p.m.: Apache Casino Hotel, 2315 East Gore Boulevard, Lawton. RSVP and access call using this link: https://tinyurl.com/387awt8t

Watch webinar

Monday, September 23, 1:00 p.m.: Choctaw Community Center, 1201 W Liberty Rd, Atoka. RSVP and access call using this link: https://tinyurl.com/42jwsp8x

Friday, September 27, 1:00 p.m.: Enid Public Library, 120 West Maine Street. RSVP and access call using this link: https://tinyurl.com/mr39bsxj

Initial Proposal Volume I has been approved by NTIA.

In compliance with federal guidance, the BEAD Initial Proposal Volume I focuses on existing funding, unserved and underserved locations, community anchor institutions, and a challenge process.

View Initial Proposal Volume I

Community Anchor Institutions (CAIs) play a critical role in delivering internet access and relaying information to residents. CAIs include, libraries, community centers, and other public entities that assist Oklahomans with critical high-speed internet required in our everyday lives.

View Oklahoma's Community Anchor Institutions

Click here to learn more about BEAD.

Last Modified on Mar 03, 2025

Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program

BEAD NET Request for Information

BEAD Pre-Qualification

Tribal Broadband Permitting Workshop

Subgrantee Selection Listening Session

BEAD Subgrantee Selection FAQ

BEAD Participant Resources

Eligible Entity Requirements

BEAD Challenge Map

BEAD Challenge Registration

Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program

BEAD NET Request for Information

BEAD Pre-Qualification

Tribal Broadband Permitting Workshop

Subgrantee Selection Listening Session

BEAD Subgrantee Selection FAQ

BEAD Participant Resources

Eligible Entity Requirements

BEAD Challenge Portal

Resources

BEAD Challenge Registration

Challenge Types

Challenge Process Seminars

BEAD Challenge Step by Step

Initial Proposal Volume I

Initial Proposal Volume II

Five Year Action Plan