BEAD Funding Tracker 2026: State-by-State Broadband Allocations
Tracking the largest federal broadband investment in American history: $42.45 billion allocated across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories to connect an estimated 8.5 million unserved and underserved locations.
Key Findings
- Total BEAD funding stands at $42.45 billion — the largest federal broadband investment in U.S. history, targeting an estimated 8.5 million unserved and underserved locations.
- Texas leads all states with $3.3 billion allocated, followed by California ($1.9 billion), Missouri ($1.7 billion), and Michigan ($1.6 billion).
- Only 8 states plus DC have reached the active deployment phase; 39 states remain in the challenge process, and 2 are still in initial planning.
- States in the deployment phase — Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Dakota, Rhode Island, and DC — are among the smallest allocations, reflecting their already-high coverage baselines.
- At the current pace, most BEAD-funded construction will not deliver service to end users until 2027 or 2028, with rural and mountainous states facing the longest timelines.
What Is the BEAD Program?
The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, authorized under the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, allocates $42.45 billion specifically for broadband infrastructure deployment. Administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), BEAD targets locations that the FCC's Broadband Data Collection classifies as unserved (lacking 25/3 Mbps service) or underserved (lacking 100/20 Mbps service).
Unlike previous federal broadband programs that spread funding across broad geographies, BEAD uses address-level data to direct investment precisely where it is needed. The program strongly prioritizes fiber-optic technology, requiring states to favor projects delivering end-to-end fiber connections wherever economically feasible.
Each state received funding proportional to its number of unserved and underserved locations. States must pass through three phases — initial planning, a challenge process (where providers and communities can dispute FCC coverage maps), and active deployment — before construction begins.
Source: NTIA BEAD Program, 2026
Program Phase Summary
As of March 2026, the 51 BEAD-eligible entities (50 states plus DC) are distributed across three phases:
Awarding construction contracts and beginning fiber buildout
Providers disputing FCC maps to refine eligible locations
Still developing proposals and identifying unserved areas
Largest BEAD Allocations by State
The ten states receiving the largest BEAD allocations account for roughly 40% of total program funding. These states have the highest concentrations of unserved and underserved locations, driven by large geographic areas, challenging terrain, or historically low investment in rural broadband infrastructure.
| Rank | State | Allocation | Phase | Est. Unserved Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | $3.3 billion | Challenge Process | ~780,000 |
| 2 | California | $1.9 billion | Challenge Process | ~520,000 |
| 3 | Missouri | $1.7 billion | Challenge Process | ~390,000 |
| 4 | Michigan | $1.6 billion | Challenge Process | ~370,000 |
| 5 | North Carolina | $1.5 billion | Challenge Process | ~350,000 |
| 6 | Virginia | $1.5 billion | Challenge Process | ~330,000 |
| 7 | Alabama | $1.4 billion | Challenge Process | ~280,000 |
| 8 | Louisiana | $1.4 billion | Challenge Process | ~290,000 |
| 9 | Georgia | $1.3 billion | Challenge Process | ~340,000 |
| 10 | Florida | $1.2 billion | Challenge Process | ~310,000 |
Source: NTIA BEAD Allocation Notices, 2026
Complete State-by-State BEAD Allocations
The following table lists all 50 states and DC with their BEAD funding allocation, current program phase, administering office, and estimated number of unserved locations. Click any state to see detailed broadband coverage data for that state.
| State | Allocation | Phase | Administering Office | Unserved Est. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $1.4 billion | Challenge Process | Alabama Dept. of Economic and Community Affairs | ~280,000 |
| Alaska | $1.0 billion | Challenge Process | Alaska Department of Commerce | ~75,000 |
| Arizona | $993 million | Challenge Process | Arizona Commerce Authority | ~195,000 |
| Arkansas | $1.0 billion | Planning | Arkansas State Broadband Office | ~210,000 |
| California | $1.9 billion | Challenge Process | California Public Utilities Commission | ~520,000 |
| Colorado | $826 million | Challenge Process | Colorado Broadband Office | ~145,000 |
| Connecticut | $144 million | Active Deployment | Connecticut Office of Broadband | ~18,000 |
| Delaware | $107 million | Active Deployment | Delaware Broadband Office | ~12,000 |
| Florida | $1.2 billion | Challenge Process | Florida Dept. of Economic Opportunity | ~310,000 |
| Georgia | $1.3 billion | Challenge Process | Georgia Technology Authority | ~340,000 |
| Hawaii | $149 million | Planning | Hawaii Broadband Office | ~22,000 |
| Idaho | $583 million | Challenge Process | Idaho Commerce Broadband Office | ~105,000 |
| Illinois | $1.0 billion | Challenge Process | Illinois Broadband Lab | ~215,000 |
| Indiana | $868 million | Challenge Process | Indiana Broadband Office | ~175,000 |
| Iowa | $415 million | Challenge Process | Iowa Broadband Office | ~95,000 |
| Kansas | $452 million | Challenge Process | Kansas Office of Broadband Development | ~110,000 |
| Kentucky | $1.1 billion | Challenge Process | Kentucky Infrastructure Authority | ~240,000 |
| Louisiana | $1.4 billion | Challenge Process | Louisiana Broadband Office | ~290,000 |
| Maine | $272 million | Challenge Process | Maine Connectivity Authority | ~62,000 |
| Maryland | $267 million | Active Deployment | Maryland Office of Statewide Broadband | ~38,000 |
| Massachusetts | $147 million | Active Deployment | Massachusetts Broadband Institute | ~19,000 |
| Michigan | $1.6 billion | Challenge Process | Michigan High-Speed Internet Office | ~370,000 |
| Minnesota | $652 million | Challenge Process | Minnesota Office of Broadband Development | ~140,000 |
| Mississippi | $1.2 billion | Challenge Process | Mississippi Broadband Commission | ~320,000 |
| Missouri | $1.7 billion | Challenge Process | Missouri Office of Broadband Development | ~390,000 |
| Montana | $629 million | Challenge Process | Montana Broadband Office | ~115,000 |
| Nebraska | $405 million | Challenge Process | Nebraska Broadband Office | ~88,000 |
| Nevada | $416 million | Challenge Process | Nevada Broadband Office | ~72,000 |
| New Hampshire | $197 million | Challenge Process | New Hampshire Broadband Office | ~35,000 |
| New Jersey | $264 million | Active Deployment | New Jersey Broadband Office | ~28,000 |
| New Mexico | $675 million | Challenge Process | New Mexico Office of Broadband Access | ~135,000 |
| New York | $665 million | Challenge Process | New York ConnectALL Office | ~155,000 |
| North Carolina | $1.5 billion | Challenge Process | North Carolina DNCR Broadband | ~350,000 |
| North Dakota | $130 million | Active Deployment | North Dakota Broadband Office | ~16,000 |
| Ohio | $794 million | Challenge Process | Ohio BroadbandOhio | ~185,000 |
| Oklahoma | $797 million | Challenge Process | Oklahoma Broadband Office | ~180,000 |
| Oregon | $689 million | Challenge Process | Oregon Broadband Office | ~125,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $1.2 billion | Challenge Process | Pennsylvania Broadband Authority | ~275,000 |
| Rhode Island | $109 million | Active Deployment | Rhode Island Commerce | ~9,000 |
| South Carolina | $920 million | Challenge Process | South Carolina Broadband Office | ~210,000 |
| South Dakota | $208 million | Challenge Process | South Dakota GOED Broadband | ~48,000 |
| Tennessee | $813 million | Challenge Process | Tennessee Broadband Office | ~195,000 |
| Texas | $3.3 billion | Challenge Process | Texas Broadband Development Office | ~780,000 |
| Utah | $337 million | Challenge Process | Utah Broadband Center | ~58,000 |
| Vermont | $229 million | Challenge Process | Vermont Community Broadband Board | ~42,000 |
| Virginia | $1.5 billion | Challenge Process | Virginia Broadband Office | ~330,000 |
| Washington | $1.2 billion | Challenge Process | Washington State Broadband Office | ~245,000 |
| West Virginia | $1.2 billion | Challenge Process | West Virginia Broadband Office | ~250,000 |
| Wisconsin | $1.1 billion | Challenge Process | Wisconsin Broadband Office | ~225,000 |
| Wyoming | $347 million | Challenge Process | Wyoming Broadband Office | ~52,000 |
| Washington, D.C. | $24 million | Active Deployment | DC Office of Cable Television | ~3,000 |
Expected Timeline
Converting federal funding into lit fiber and active subscribers is a multi-year process involving permitting, environmental review, pole attachment agreements, workforce mobilization, and physical construction. Based on state broadband office filings and NTIA guidance, the expected timeline is:
- 2024–2025: Initial proposals, NTIA approval, and challenge process for most states.
- 2025–2026: Subgrantee selection — states identify which ISPs will build the funded networks. Several early-moving states (Louisiana, Virginia, Nevada) completed this phase in late 2025.
- 2026–2027: Construction begins in deployment-phase states. Permitting and engineering proceed in challenge-phase states.
- 2027–2028: First wave of BEAD-funded service goes live for subscribers in most states. Rural and mountainous states (West Virginia, Montana, Alaska) may extend into 2029.
- 2029–2030: Program completion target. All funded locations should have active broadband service, subject to construction delays and workforce availability.
The telecommunications construction workforce was already constrained before BEAD. The simultaneous deployment of billions of dollars across multiple states has intensified competition for qualified fiber splicers, engineers, and construction crews, which may extend timelines in some regions.
Key Challenges and Risks
While BEAD represents a generational investment, several structural challenges could slow or complicate its impact:
- Map accuracy disputes: The FCC's Broadband Data Collection maps, while far better than the old Form 477 data, still contain errors. The challenge process adds 6–12 months to the timeline as providers and communities dispute which locations are truly unserved.
- Construction cost inflation: Fiber deployment costs per passing have increased 15–20% since initial BEAD cost estimates were developed, driven by labor shortages and materials costs. Some states may need to reduce the scope of funded projects.
- Workforce constraints: The U.S. needs an estimated 20,000 additional fiber technicians and splicers to meet BEAD deployment timelines. Several states have launched workforce development programs, but training pipelines take 12–18 months to produce qualified workers.
- Matching fund requirements: BEAD requires ISPs receiving subgrants to contribute matching funds, typically 25% of project cost. Smaller providers in rural areas may struggle to meet this requirement, potentially limiting competition in the most underserved markets.
What This Means for Consumers
If you currently have limited broadband options, BEAD may bring new service to your area within the next one to three years. Here is how to track progress:
- Check your state broadband office: Each office listed in the table above maintains a public-facing portal with eligible locations and deployment timelines.
- Verify your address on the FCC map: Visit broadbandmap.fcc.gov to see if your location is classified as unserved or underserved.
- Use our availability checker: Enter your ZIP code on our availability checker to see every provider currently serving your area, plus links to state BEAD resources.
- Compare providers at the neighborhood level: In states like Texas, where BEAD is targeting ~780,000 unserved locations with $3.3 billion in funding, InternetNearMe.ai provides street-level provider data to help you understand exactly what is available today versus what BEAD may bring in 2027–2028.
For areas that already have competitive broadband, BEAD funding may still have an indirect benefit: the construction of new fiber networks in adjacent underserved areas often spurs incumbent providers to upgrade their own infrastructure and lower prices in response to increased competition.
Related Reports
- 2026 U.S. Broadband Access Report — Comprehensive analysis of FCC BDC data across all 50 states
- America's Internet Report Card 2026 — State-by-state broadband grades based on speed, price, and competition
- Broadband Competition Index — HHI market concentration analysis by metro area
- State Coverage Reports — Detailed broadband data for all 50 states
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the BEAD program?
The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program is a $42.45 billion federal initiative authorized under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. It funds broadband infrastructure construction in unserved areas (lacking 25/3 Mbps) and underserved areas (lacking 100/20 Mbps) across all 50 states, DC, and U.S. territories.
How is BEAD funding allocated to each state?
NTIA allocates BEAD funding based primarily on the number of unserved and underserved locations in each state, as identified by FCC Broadband Data Collection maps. States with more coverage gaps receive proportionally larger allocations. Texas received the largest allocation at $3.3 billion, while DC received the smallest at $24 million.
When will BEAD-funded internet service be available?
Most BEAD-funded broadband construction will not deliver service to end users until 2027 or 2028. States currently in the deployment phase (Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Dakota, Rhode Island, and DC) are furthest along. States still in the challenge phase face additional delays for dispute resolution, subgrantee selection, and permitting before construction begins.
What broadband technology does BEAD prioritize?
BEAD strongly prioritizes fiber-optic connections. The program requires states to prioritize projects delivering at least 100/20 Mbps service using end-to-end fiber. Fixed wireless solutions meeting the speed threshold are permitted but rank lower in the scoring criteria. This preference is designed to deliver future-proof infrastructure.
How can I check if my area will receive BEAD funding?
Each state broadband office maintains a public-facing map or list of locations eligible for BEAD funding. You can also check the FCC Broadband Map (broadbandmap.fcc.gov) to see if your address is classified as unserved or underserved. Use our availability checker at InternetProviders.ai to see current options and track BEAD progress in your state.
Data Sources and Methodology
Funding allocation amounts are sourced from official NTIA BEAD allocation notices. Deployment phase classifications are based on state broadband office filings and NTIA status updates as of March 2026. Estimated unserved location counts are derived from InternetProviders.ai's analysis of FCC Broadband Data Collection records at the address level, cross-referenced with state broadband office reports.
For full details on our data processing methodology, see our methodology page. Data is available under a CC BY 4.0 license for researchers, journalists, and policymakers.
Source: InternetProviders.ai Methodology
Cite This Research
When citing this research, please use:
Pablo Mendoza. “BEAD Funding Tracker 2026: State-by-State Broadband Allocations.” InternetProviders.ai, March 2026. https://www.internetproviders.ai/reports/bead-funding-tracker/
APA: Pablo Mendoza. (March 2026). BEAD Funding Tracker 2026: State-by-State Broadband Allocations. Retrieved from https://www.internetproviders.ai/reports/bead-funding-tracker/
This data is published under CC BY 4.0. You are free to share and adapt with attribution.