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Governor Ivey Announces Approval of Final BEAD Broadband Proposal, Awards $460 Million to Expand Access to High-Speed Internet

MONTGOMERY – Governor Kay Ivey on Monday announced that the state’s Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program proposal, which will provide high-speed internet service for all remaining eligible locations in Alabama, has been approved by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).

With approval, Governor Ivey today awarded grants totaling nearly $460 million to support 63 projects to expand access to broadband service to approximately 92,000 currently unserved locations statewide, marking a major milestone in the state’s broadband journey.

“This approval marks an important step forward in our work to close the digital divide in Alabama,” said Governor Ivey. “Reliable high-speed internet is essential for economic growth, education, healthcare and everyday life. I am proud of the collaboration between our state leaders, ADECA, local communities and providers that made this plan possible. With this progress, we are ensuring that families and businesses across Alabama will have the connectivity they need to thrive in the modern economy.”

Since 2017, Governor Ivey, the Alabama Legislature and the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs have prioritized efforts to expand broadband through numerous state and federal grant programs while working closely with private partners and local communities. Through the BEAD program, combined with other federal and state grant programs in recent years, Alabama is on track to achieve full broadband coverage as defined by NTIA.

“This approval reflects the strong partnership between Alabama, the federal government, internet providers and local communities across our state,” said ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell. “Under Governor Ivey’s leadership, our goal has always been clear – deliver reliable, high-speed internet to every eligible location in Alabama in the most responsible and cost-effective way possible. This plan and these projects position our state to do exactly that while ensuring these investments will support Alabama’s communities, businesses and families for generations to come.”

The 63 projects will expand access to broadband service at an average cost of less than $5,000 per location. In total, 71 percent of the projects will use fiber technology, 24 percent will use low-Earth orbit satellite technology and 5 percent will use hybrid fiber-coaxial technology. Of the original $1.4 billion allocated to Alabama for BEAD, ADECA is saving more than $800 million in taxpayer dollars, which are likely to be available for new “non-deployment” uses as defined by the NTIA at a later date.

ADECA is actively working to develop contracts for the 63 preliminarily approved projects. Proposed awardees include both national providers and Alabama-based companies and cooperatives, all of which have been vetted to ensure they can deliver on their commitments. ADECA’s plan includes a robust monitoring program to ensure that projects are completed on time, meet federal standards and provide lasting benefits to the people of Alabama.