The N.C. Department of Information Technology’s (NCDIT) Division of Broadband and Digital Equity today announced a deadline extension until 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 8, 2025, for local and tribal governments, nonprofits and broadband service providers to submit data challenging the eligibility of locations for inclusion in the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, which launches in 2025. The program provides $1.53 billion to North Carolina to bring high-speed internet infrastructure to unserved and underserved locations across the state.
The division requested and received an extension for this process from the National Telecommunications and Information Association (NTIA) due to the Hurricane Helene natural disaster declared in western North Carolina. This extension provides more time for eligible organizations to submit challenges to help ensure the list of locations eligible for BEAD program funding for internet expansion is as accurate as possible.
The BEAD Challenge Process allows entities defined by the NTIA to provide input to ensure that the BEAD program’s eligible locations map accurately represents the high-speed internet access needs of residents, businesses and community anchor institutions. Individuals may submit data via the Consumer Input website at register.broadband.nc.gov/map-correction so eligible challenging organizations can submit challenges on their behalf.
“By extending the BEAD Challenge Process, we are allowing more county partners, internet providers, and nonprofit grantees or stakeholders adequate time to weigh in on locations without internet access or adequate speeds,” said NCDIT Deputy Secretary for Broadband and Digital Equity Nate Denny. “This feedback will help ensure we have the most up-to-date data in our implementation plans to connect all North Carolinians to reliable high-speed internet.”
Permanent changes in the availability status of a location due to damage from Hurricane Helene may be reported by an existing broadband provider. However, changes should only be reported if an existing broadband provider determines that service has been lost to a specific location and will not be rebuilt. The division will share specific guidance for broadband providers about this type of challenge in the coming weeks.
The division officially launched the BEAD Challenge Process on Sept. 3., and 23,036 individual local-level challenges have been submitted to date. All local governments, tribal governments, nonprofits and broadband service providers that previously registered on the division’s website at ncbroadband.gov/BEADchallenge may continue submitting challenges through the new Jan. 8 deadline, and new challenging organizations may still register. The site also includes a user guide and downloadable data files that provide current broadband serviceable locations classified as unserved, underserved or served, and community anchor institutions.
Once challenge data is collected, internet service providers will have an opportunity to make any rebuttals Jan. 21 – Feb. 20, 2025. The division will complete the BEAD program’s final determination phase Feb. 21 – March 22, 2025, and will share the data with the NTIA to finalize the locations that will be eligible for the BEAD program.
The division previously announced a Nov. 1 deadline for internet service providers to prequalify to participate in the BEAD program and has now extended the deadline until Feb. 3, 2025, to accommodate the competing demands that internet service providers experience as they work to restore service in disaster declared counties. This flexibility will provide more opportunities for internet service providers to complete the qualification process and encourage participation. Providers must either complete the qualification process during the prequalification phase or during the later project application phase before submitting project applications that may result in funding.
For more information about the NCDIT Division of Broadband and Digital Equity, the BEAD Challenge Process and Governor Cooper’s plan to close the digital divide, please visit ncbroadband.gov.