Broadband Equity, Access & Deployment (BEAD) Program

The BEAD program awarded federal funds to North Carolina to expand high-speed internet access and create a more connected and economically prosperous state.  The NCDIT Division of Broadband and Digital Opportunity will use this funding to target homes and businesses across the state that do not have access to broadband or do not have adequate internet speeds to participate in today’s digital world.  BEAD’s mission is that very North Carolinian should have access to reliable high-speed internet access, empowering them to participate fully in education, employment, telemedicine and civic life. 

Unlike the GREAT and CAB programs, BEAD does NOT require 100% Fiber-to-the-Home deployments.

BEAD Program Coverage:

• 93,138 homes, businesses and community anchor institutions are set to receive reliable high-speed internet access by 2030 
• $408,511,175.10 investment in broadband infrastructure subgrants 
• Diverse mix of technology that leverages fiber, cable, fixed wireless and low Earth orbit satellite systems to connect residents to internet with 100 Mbps upload/20 Mbps download speeds 
• Timeline: 2025 Contracts Awarded – 2030 Final Infrastructure Construction Complete