Brightspeed Secures $222M in BEAD Funding to Expand Fiber in Six States

Brightspeed has been provisionally awarded more than $222 million through the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. The funding will support new fiber builds in Arkansas, Georgia, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Wisconsin, bringing multi-gig service to more than 73,000 additional homes and businesses.

The awards break down as follows:

• Arkansas – $26.3M (13,791 locations)
• Georgia – $2.3M (1,405 locations)
• Oklahoma – $1.9M (148 locations)
• Pennsylvania – $40.1M (9,126 locations)
• Virginia – $16.7M (4,963 locations)
• Wisconsin – $135M (44,276 locations)

The company, the nation’s third-largest fiber broadband builder, has already invested billions in its own deployment plans with a goal of reaching five million locations across 20 states. Brightspeed’s fiber service is currently available to nearly 318,000 homes and businesses in Arkansas, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wisconsin. The BEAD award will mark the beginning of its fiber build in Oklahoma.

“For families and business owners, fast, affordable and reliable internet isn’t a luxury, it’s a lifeline,” said Pamela Sherwood, Vice President of Brightspeed’s Broadband Office.

Brightspeed has also received more than $8.1 million in state-level ARPA funds to complement its private investment, bringing fiber access to more than 9,000 additional residents in Arkansas, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

The BEAD awards remain pending NTIA approval.

Source: Brightspeed