Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Plan
North Carolina’s BEAD Plan, led by the Department of IT — GREAT Broadband, funds research-driven broadband expansion to achieve statewide high-speed internet access, focusing on unserved and underserved areas.
Funder: North Carolina Department of IT — GREAT Broadband
Due Dates: No set deadline; subgrantee selection rounds announced on program site
Funding Amounts: Over $1.5 billion allocated for North Carolina; individual subgrants typically require ≥25% match, award size varies by project scope
Summary: Five-year initiative to expand affordable, reliable high-speed internet access and adoption across North Carolina, prioritizing unserved and underserved locations and community anchor institutions.
Key Information: Subgrantee application rounds will open after prequalification; state and federal policy changes may affect timing and requirements.
Description
The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Plan is North Carolina’s comprehensive strategy to close the digital divide by deploying high-speed broadband infrastructure, promoting affordability, and supporting digital adoption. Administered by the North Carolina Department of IT — GREAT Broadband, the program leverages federal (BEAD, ARPA) and state funds to achieve universal broadband access, targeting unserved and underserved households, high-cost areas, and community anchor institutions (CAIs). The plan incorporates extensive stakeholder input, local coordination, and data-driven asset mapping to guide investments and ensure equitable outcomes statewide.
