Wisconsin Counties BEAD September 2024 To-Do

Final Steps for Wisconsin Counties for BEAD

Wisconsin counties, tribes, local municipalities and BEAD recognized community anchor institutions (CAI) have an optional role in Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD).

BEAD Next Steps for 2024

Tribes, Counties, Municipalities and CAIs only have 4 to-do items

1. Decide if a resolution or letter is to be considered

   1. If yes- Create or assign committee to specifically address selecting ISPs and creating letters and/or resolutions

   2. Assess Internet Service Provider (ISP) proposals and costs

   3. Eventually work to draft ISP resolutions or letters and share information to Towns/Villages/Cities and CAIs as needed.

      
      More funding info: The BEAD Funding Gap - by August Neverman (substack.com)
      

2. Decide if cash or loan is to be considered, to fill likely funding gaps

   1. If yes- task the committee noted above to specifically address funding

   2. Assess ISP proposals and costs

   3. Prepare resolutions with funding details and work on contracts. NOTE final contract can occur AFTER the resolution and BEAD process per Public Service guidance.

   4. Forward resolutions with partner ISP to the board in Nov/Dec 2024, again in Feb 2025 and again in May/June 2025
      

3. Communicate with affected Tribes, Towns, Villages, Cities and Community Anchor Institutions (CAIs)

   1. Communicate decisions from #1 and #2

   2. Coordinate/Communicate supporting letters role and/or funding role

   3. Communicate final BEAD maps (once published)
      

4. Communicate with Internet Providers

   1. Share expectations, share maps and other information to ISPs that you support

   2. Confirm participation, confirm needs, consider and assess funding requests if approved

Waiting till final maps are done

As of 9/3/2024 PSC submitted the final Challenge Process but NTIA has not approved it (yet). The final Wisconsin PSC WBO “BEAD Project Unit Map” has not been published, but needs to be done before 11/1/2024.

Project Unit - It is a group of BSLs (Broadband Serviceable Locations) as defined through FCC/CostQuest Map and NTIA The project unit is what an ISP (Internet Service Provider) and submit a grant proposal for. In simpler terms a Project Unit is a BEAD (NTIA approved) group of homes and businesses geographically near each other, that an ISP can write a proposal for a grant award.

The Public Service Commission (PSC) Wisconsin Broadband Office (WBO) will draft that map once the NTIA approves the final BEAD approved location list.

While we are waiting on the final Wisconsin map, the “Challenge Map” above shows likely UNSERVED and UNDERSERVED locations. Orange is worse, so the map can be used for rough planning until the final BEAD Project Unit Map is published.

BEAD Final Steps

Once the final map is published and grant rounds start there are more activities the County MIGHT be involved in.

5. Once Wisconsin PSC-WBO BEAD Grant Rounds start (assuming there is a County/Muni/Tribal BEAD committee)

   1. Review BEAD Qualifying ISPs Grant Proposals (costs, coverage, public good, service to local government, public safety, healthcare, education etc.)

   2. Select supported ISP per Project Unit (or group of units)

   3. Negotiate funding with ISP (if any)

   4. Prepare and get approvals for resolutions and/or letters of support

6. Committee assess changes in BEAD rounds 2 & 3 – including wireless and other “alternative” technologies for “high cost” locations.  Then modify resolutions and/or letters as required.

7. Complete the agreements/contracts approved in resolution as needed, if funding is provided.

8. In fiscals 2025 thru 2030 provide contracted additional funding (if approved). Then measure project progress per agreement, for potential claw-back.  Communicate progress to the public and municipalities. Assess other programs Federal progress such as RDOF and eACAM. Assess Wisconsin state funding based for existing and new PSC Broadband Grants.

9. Begin planning for remaining locations that have poor service. There will be some addresses that either were skipped because of BEAD rules, end up declined due to cost for some reason, or were missed entirely. Have plans to apply for Wisconsin State Broadband funds and Federal Broadband funds to serve

This is very high level and some steps may vary based on County, Tribe or Municipal activity.

For more information

• WI PSC WBO - BEAD Grant Main Page https://psc.wi.gov/Pages/ServiceType/Broadband/GrantBEAD.aspx

• BEAD Challenge Map (can be used for planning until final map is published) https://maps.psc.wi.gov/portal/apps/experiencebuilder/template/?draft=true&id=9480ce5ebca64e6fa8fbb975716233ee&page=home

• Why funding might be required The BEAD Funding Gap - by August Neverman (substack.com)

If you need additional assistance or information?
Contact August at https://nevermanconsulting.com/