WASHINGTON – CostQuest® congratulates the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) on receiving NTIA approval of its BEAD (Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment Program) Final Proposal – a major achievement that moves the state closer to delivering reliable, high-speed broadband to unserved and underserved communities. Throughout the BEAD process, Wisconsin leveraged CostQuest’s data, cost modeling expertise, and custom-built grant systems to guide decision-making and support an accountable and transparent funding program.
Wisconsin’s Path to BEAD Final Proposal Approval
CostQuest partnered with PSC to deliver a custom BEAD Grant Award Management System built around the state’s nearly 4,000 project areas, unique scoring criteria and selection logic. During the Benefit of the Bargain round, CostQuest integrated additional program parameters into the platform to strengthen evaluation and decision-making in alignment with NTIA’s Restructuring Policy Notice.
With its proposal now approved, Wisconsin is one step closer to launching a transparent, data-driven deployment process that ensures broadband funding reaches the communities that
need it the most. Notable program outcomes include:
- Over $696 million in federal BEAD funding unlocked with NTIA approval, complemented by $397M of private investment
- 175,464 homes and businesses targeted for new or improved high-speed internet
- Technology-neutral awards using fiber (76%), low Earth orbit satellite (14%) and fixed wireless (10%) solutions
- Optimized selection criteria that ensured a competitive process with 98% of BEAD-eligible locations receiving an application during Wisconsin’s two earlier BEAD rounds
Driving Toward Universal Connectivity
Wisconsin is nearing the finish line of the BEAD award process to unlock funding to expand economic opportunities, strengthen rural communities, and support access to education, healthcare, and jobs through improved high-speed broadband infrastructure. CostQuest is honored to support the state with data, tools, and expertise required to execute efficient and large-scale broadband deployment program.