Newsroom & Public Notices
New Jersey Launches the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Challenge Process
| For Immediate Release: | Contact: Bailey Lawrence |
| Date: 10/21/2024 | 609-940-1099 |
“As we seek to expand high-speed internet coverage and quality throughout the state, it is imperative we hear from residents throughout New Jersey. We encourage residents to participate in the process by contacting a local government or nonprofit organization listed on the OBC website to submit a challenge on their behalf,” said NJBPU President Christine Guhl-Sadovy.
Under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the BEAD program is a federal program that provides funding nationwide to expand high-speed broadband access. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) allocated $263.7 million to New Jersey to develop and deploy improved access to affordable, high-speed, reliable internet in unserved and underserved communities.
Unserved (no internet or limited access under 25/3 Mbps) and underserved (internet access under 100/20 Mps) locations and community institutions are eligible to be served and ultimately implement New Jersey’s broadband infrastructure plan.
Under the NTIA mapping challenge process requirement, the NJBPU OBC used the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) National Broadband Map to create an initial list of unserved and underserved locations and modified the data based on its process outlined in the OBC’s approved Volume 1 proposal.
Eligible challengers (local and Tribal governments, non-profits, and internet service providers) have until November 3, 2024, 11:59pm EST to register via the challenge portal. The challenge portal will begin accepting challenges on November 4, 2024, for 30 calendar days, after which the rebuttal phase will begin. A challenged internet service provider will have 30 calendar days to either dispute the challenge with supporting evidence or sustain. Challenges that are disputed by the internet service provider will be reviewed by the OBC. The OBC will have 30 calendar days after the rebuttal phase closes to issue a final determination.
Challenges to inaccuracies in the map must be supported with evidence such as the location of the unserved and underserved locations and reported service data such as availability and latency. Registration and the list of eligible challengers are available on nj.gov/connect.
The NJBPU Office of Broadband Connectivity and the NTIA will be hosting a Public Outreach Meeting on October 31, 2024, to provide more information and discuss the challenge process. To register and learn more, please visit: www.nj.gov/connect.
About the New Jersey Office of Broadband Connectivity (OBC)
The OBC works to ensure that New Jersey residents, businesses and communities have equitable access to affordable internet service. Focused on achieving digital equity and broadband access and adoption, the OBC is charged with implementing New Jersey’s Digital Equity Planning Grant and Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) programs, funded through Infrastructure Investment and Jobs ACT and the U.S. Department of Treasury Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund. To learn more about the OBC, visit www.nj.gov/connect.
About the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU)
NJBPU is a state agency and regulatory authority mandated to ensure safe, adequate and proper utility services at reasonable rates for New Jersey customers. Critical services regulated by NJBPU include natural gas, electricity, water, wastewater, telecommunications and cable television. The Board has general oversight and responsibility for monitoring utility service, responding to consumer complaints, and investigating utility accidents. To find out more about NJBPU, visit our website at www.nj.gov/bpu.
