Update on the state BEAD challenge process
The Washington State Broadband Office (WSBO) appreciates the interest that so many have expressed in the accuracy of Washington's broadband service map. The map is integral to our work on the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) 5-year Plan (PDF) and securing federal broadband funding. Though the map provides a reliable snapshot of the current state of broadband infrastructure, it is imperfect for various reasons beyond any one agency’s sole control.
We will be conducting a required state challenge process during the spring of 2024. This process will provide a formal avenue to capture challenges to a Broadband Service Location (BSL) status as "served," "underserved" or "unserved."
Who is eligible to challenge?
- Local governments
- Non-profit organizations
- Tribal governments
- Internet service providers
The broadband service map indicating status of each BSL is still in development and has several more stages of refinement to go through before the state challenge portal opens.
What's next
The WSBO will conduct extensive outreach in early 2024 to ensure that eligible challengers understand the state challenge process and how to participate.
Multiple webinars and trainings for eligible challengers will teach how to use the state challenge portal to ensure that status of residential addresses are correctly identified in the final project areas. This formal challenge process will help ensure the map is accurate as we pursue the goals of Washington state's Internet for All initiative.
Informational webinar (Zoom)
Thursday, Feb. 1, 2 - 3:30 p.m.
Dates for more webinars and trainings will be announced as they are finalized by the WSBO.
Licenses required for challenge participants
For eligible challengers who anticipate participating in the state challenge process, resources should be prepared as early as possible. One helpful resource is FCC fabric data. This data is only available with a license provided by the National Telecommunications Industry Association (NTIA) through CostQuest Associates.
Getting an NTIA license
In order to ensure adequate time to process requests, prospective BEAD Program participants must request an NTIA license as early as possible. There is no cost to request and receive license, but the process takes time. Below are important links and information you will need to know to proceed:
Eligible challengers must qualify for a specific type of license to access the FCC Fabric data and engage in the BEAD challenge process. Only participants with these licenses can view and analyze this essential FCC coverage data for challenges - our state challenge portal can provide only limited data.
The specific licenses are NTIA Tier D or NTIA Tier E licenses.
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Tier D License: ISPs are generally the entities that qualify for a Tier D license. To receive one, an entity must have a reporting requirement (such as U.S. Treasury Capital Projects Fund) and/or a plan to participate in the BEAD sub-granting process.
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Tier E License: Tier E licenses are for entities that don’t meet the Tier D reporting and sub-granting requirements. Most community anchor institutions, non-profits, and local and Tribal governments fall into this category. This licensing process requires some additional steps.
The potential license recipient must coordinate with the WSBO, CostQuest and National Telecommunications Industry Association (NTIA). NTIA requires this coordination to ensure that every license recipient participates in the challenge process.
Important documents and links
For more information on which license you may need, please review the CostQuest Associates NTIA Licensing FAQ (PDF)
Get more information on completing an application and make your license request using these websites:
Tier D
Tier E
Questions?
If you have any questions about these licenses and the license application process, please reach out to CostQuest at IFAsupport@costquest.com.
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