Running the BEAD Relay
MCA stands ready to quickly complete the execution of the BEAD program, effectively and efficiently deploying funding and truly connecting everyone in Maine. Read our recent blog post to see how we'll get there.
Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program
Introduction
​
The lack of fast, reliable, and affordable broadband is a major problem in rural, suburban, and even urban America. Issues of digital inclusion and accessibility have exacerbated the digital divide, leaving millions of Americans unable to use technology to improve their lives.
​
The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program is funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and will provide Maine with a $272 million grant that will bring critical resources to fund broadband infrastructure and digital equity for the entire state. The BEAD program prioritizes Broadband Serviceable Locations (BSLs) that are unserved (less than 25/3 Mbps) and underserved (less than 100/20 Mbps).
MCA Contact
​Brian Allenby
Sr. Director, Program Operations
ballenby@maineconnectivity.org
(207) 200-5824
BEAD Timeline
​
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) expects BEAD implementation to take roughly 6 years from start to finish. In September 2023, MCA submitted Maine's Broadband Action Plan and Digital Equity Plan to the NTIA for review. In December, 2023, MCA submitted BEAD Initial Proposals, Volume 1 & 2. Volume 1 and Volume 2 have now been accepted.
Click the image to the left to zoom in on the timeline.
Maine's BEAD Subgrantee Selection Process
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Phase 1: Prospective Applicant Pre-Qualification Evaluation
(September 18 - October 18, 2024)
-
Prospective applicants will submit organizational-level information (technical, financial, operational and managerial capacity) that demonstrates their ability to meet the requirements of the BEAD program.
-
Applicants will also be presented with a map of draft Project Service Areas (PSAs) and asked to indicate which they intend to apply for. Learn more about PSAs below.
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Phase 2: BEAD Project Application
(January 17, 2025 - March 7, 2025 at 5:00 PM EST)
-
Pre-Qualified Applicants approved in Phase 1 will be invited to submit project applications for BEAD funding.
-
Applicants will provide project-level information, including a bid for specific Project Service Areas (PSAs).
Pre-Qualified Applicants
Project Kuiper (Amazon)
Axiom Technologies
Charter Communications
Consolidated Communications
Comcast
UniTel (Direct Communications)
GWI
INTUS Group
LCI Fiber
Outer Reach Broadband
Pioneer Broadband
Rivahnet (Union River Telephone)
Sebago Fiber
Starlink (SpaceX)
UScellular
Wireless Partners
​
Maine's BEAD Project Application Initial Outcomes
​
The BEAD Project Application closed on March 7, and initial outcomes include 53 applications from 10 applicants, including local, statewide, and national ISPs to serve approximately 79% of eligible locations. In the first round of bidding, applicants committed to match 39% of the total cost.
​
Throughout March and April, MCA will review applications and undergo the “deconfliction” process for any PSAs with more than one bid. Following deconfliction, the MCA team will begin negotiating with internet service providers (ISPs) to solicit their best offer to serve PSAs.
All dates are approximate and may shift due to NTIA approval, guidance, and internal needs.
​​
The Subgrantee Selection Process (SSP) is a two-step process through which MCA will evaluate and select prospective applicants and determine how BEAD funding will be distributed to specific Project Service Areas (PSAs). Through Maine's BEAD Pre-Qualification Evaluation, MCA is happy to announce that fifteen prospective applicants have been pre-qualified after a thorough review confirming their capacity from an operational, technical, financial and compliance perspective. We are excited to work with the following pre-qualified applicants that represent Maine-based and national companies providing service through a variety of technologies.
Maine's BEAD Project Service Areas (PSAs)
The methodology and model used to construct the PSAs are based on several data sources. Learn more about PSA Methodology and development within the "Project Service Areas (PSAs)" unit in the Resource Exchange module about the Subgrantee Selection Process.
​
As an element of the Pre-Qualification Evaluation process, MCA released draft Project Service Areas (including BEAD-eligible locations) to prospective applicants and the public.
​
On January 10, 2025, MCA published final BEAD PSAs and Location IDs. ​​During the BEAD Project Application, qualified applicants will bid on these PSAs and making binding commitments to serve approximately 29,000 locations and 3,000 Community Anchor Institutions (CAIs) like libraries, community centers, and healthcare facilities across the state with high-speed internet.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
​
​​
​
​​
​​​The development of BEAD Project Service Areas (PSAs) is both a science and an art. MCA's Director of Research & Data, Meghan Grabill, Ph.D. explores this careful balance in her recent blog post.
​
Maine's BEAD State-Led Challenge Process​
​​
During the State-Led Challenge Process, individuals, nonprofit organizations, units of local government, and internet service providers then had the opportunity to challenge any of the BEAD-eligible locations that MCA identified. Fundamentally, challenges were submitted to determine whether a location has internet speeds below or above 100/20 Mbps. If eligible challengers could provide evidence that a location was misclassified, the location could become eligible for BEAD funding. Once a location was challenged, an eligible challenger could either uphold or refute that challenge and provide further evidence. MCA then adjudicated challenges and rebuttals, the outcome being that final list of BEAD-eligible locations which were then submitted to the NTIA for approval.
​
Of the 17,000 external challenges that were submitted by non-profits and ISPs during Maine's BEAD State-Led Challenge Process, 28 ultimately received rebuttal evidence and required adjudication. Of the 28 rebuttals received, 6 resulted in the reversal of challenges submitted. The decision-making criteria which was used to make these determinations is outlined in the Adjudication Standard Operating Procedures.
On September 9, 2024 MCA published the results of the State-Led Challenge Process adjudication, including the draft BEAD eligible locations. These draft BEAD eligible locations were used to develop draft Project Service Areas (PSAs). Learn more about PSA Methodology and development within the "Project Service Areas (PSAs)" unit in the Resource Exchange module about the Subgrantee Selection Process.
​
On November 14, 2024, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) approved Maine's State Led Challenge Process data resulting in the final list of locations and Community Anchor Institutions eligible for BEAD funding. MCA will now work to finalize the BEAD Project Service Areas (PSAs) reflecting this final data ahead of the BEAD Project Application.
​​
Maine's BEAD State-Led Challenge Process was MCA’s opportunity to create an accurate map of locations where BEAD funding can be deployed in Maine and represents the next step in unlocking Maine's $272 million BEAD allocation. MCA published an initial list of all served, unserved, underserved locations, and Community Anchor Institutions (CAIs) in Maine in our BEAD Initial Proposal, Volume 1. That list was then refined with the final list of locations being using to conduct the State Led Challenge Process published here.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​​​​​​​​​​
Maine's BEAD Initial Proposal (Volume 1 and Volume 2) has been approved! THANK YOU to everyone who contributed during the public comment period!
BEAD Initial Proposal, Volume 1 & 2
Volume 1 includes:
​
1.1 Existing Broadband Funding
​
1.2 Unserved and Underserved Locations
​
1.3 Community Anchor Institutions (CAIs)
​
1.4 State Challenge Process
​
Volume 2 includes:
2.1 Objectives, 2.2 Local, Tribal, and Regional Broadband Planning Processes, 2.3 Local Coordination, 2.4 Deployment Subgrantee Selection, 2.5 Non-Deployment Subgrantee Selection, 2.6 Eligible Entity Implementation Activities, 2.7 Labor Standards and Protection, 2.8 Workforce Readiness, 2.9 Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs)/Women’s Business Enterprises (WBEs), Labor Surplus Firms Inclusion. 2.10 Cost and Barrier Reduction
2.11 Climate Assessment, 2.12 Low-Cost Broadband Service Option, 2.13 Middle-Class Affordability Plans, 2.14 Use of 20 Percent of Funding, 2.15 Eligible Entity Regulatory Approach, 2.16 Certification of Compliance with BEAD Requirements,
Maine's Broadband Action Plan and Digital Equity Plan​
​
Faced with the opportunity for unprecedented funding, Maine Connectivity Authority facilitated the development of a Broadband Action Plan (BAP) that is rooted in digital equity, in coordination with stakeholders around the state. This plan identifies priorities for investment in broadband and digital equity, and serves as the state’s 5-year road map to bring the economic, health, educational, and social benefits of high-speed internet to all Mainers. Through the BAP process, we strive to understand the challenges and opportunities facing stakeholders from every corner of the state so we can develop effective solutions.
​
Following our Reflect and Revise period in June 2023, MCA processed hundreds of pieces of feedback that were received and updated the draft plan. In August 2023, MCA submitted the state's 5-year Broadband Action Plan to the NTIA. In September 2023, MCA submitted the state's first Digital Equity Plan to the NTIA.
We are greatly appreciative of all the insightful comments and helpful feedback that was provided by the people of Maine as we finalize these plans!
Digital Equity in the Planning Process
​
Digital equity is the condition in which all individuals and communities have the information technology capacity for full participation in our society and economy. Maine has opted to combine our digital equity and infrastructure planning, so digital equity will be woven throughout the plan and will also result in a separate stand alone digital equity plan for the state for the first time. The digital equity components of the BAP will be guided by the Digital Equity Taskforce and supported by the Regional and Tribal Broadband Partners.
​
For more information about MCA's Digital Equity initiatives, head to our Digital Equity webpage.
Click the image to enlarge
