Broadband Infrastructure


The Infrastructure, Investment, and Jobs Act (IIJA) passed by Congress in late 2021 provided an unprecedented $65 billion in funding for broadband, most of it for broadband infrastructure. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will allocate $42.5 billion to the states through the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program.

The states will then award broadband grants to connect the unserved, underserved, and anchor institutions. We are pleased that the IIJA mentions CAIs twenty-nine times, and that the BEAD program specifically calls for anchor institutions to receive gigabit-capacity service. In addition, the IIJA provided funding to the Rural Utility Service (RUS) for the ReConnect program, $1 billion to NTIA for the Middle Mile program, and $2 billion to NTIA for Tribal broadband.

The SHLB Coalition is working with state broadband offices on anchor-related broadband needs as they plan for and implement these new infrastructure projects. We will also continue to discuss anchor-related issues and concerns with the NTIA, the FCC, the Treasury Department and Congress to ensure CAIs are fully eligible for broadband funding opportunities. 


SHLB's Advocacy

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SHLB et al LOC Comments to NTIA 

 

August 4, 2023

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Comments of the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition in
Response to NTIA’s Proposed BEAD Challenge Process Guidance


May 5, 2023

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SHLB Comments on OIR BEAD

April 17, 2023
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SHLB Response to Senator Thune's Dec. 6, 2022 Letter

January 13, 3023

 

SHLB wrote to senator John Thune respoinging to the our December 6, 2022 letter regarding the Implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and other broadband issues.

 

Download the Letter

 

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Letter to U.S. Commerce regarding "Build America, Buy America"

May 10, 2022

 

SHLB requested that the U.S. Department of Commerce provide a public interest waiver for "Build America, Buy America" requirements that could delay broadband deployment under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act programs. 

 

Download the Letter 

 

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Comments to the NTIA regarding broadband programs in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
February 4, 2022

View Archived Documents


Key Documents

February 2018
SHLB PRIMER
To and Through Anchors - A Strategy to Connect Rural Communities

February 2018
SHLB RESEARCH
A Model for Understanding the Cost to Connect Anchor Institutions with Fiber

July 2016
SHLB RESEARCH
Connecting Anchor Institutions - A Broadband Action Plan