NJ Office of Broadband Connectivity

@NTIAgov announced #NJ will receive $263.7 mil from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to implement the #InternetforAll initiative. These new investments will ensure that we connect all of the unconnected to make the most of affordable, reliable high-speed Internet.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will be allocating $263.7 million to New Jersey to help improve access to affordable, high-speed, reliable internet in unserved and underserved communities across New Jersey

The funding allocation will essentially be the program budget for developing and deploying the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program in New Jersey and ultimately implement the state’s plan.

Frequently Asked Questions:

When will funding be available?
We are currently in the program planning and development phase. The federal deadline for the state's 5-Year Action Plan is August 28,6 2023. Then the Initial Proposal for spending is due December 2023, and late 2024 for the Final Proposal. After the Final Proposal is approved by the NTIA, the program is expected to be implemented over the course of four years and is tentative to be completed in 2028.

Who is eligible for funding?
This will be developed as part of the State Action Plan under development now for the BEAD funding. Here is a one-pager from the U.S. Department of Commerce.

What can the funding be used for?
BEAD funds can have many uses, but there is a great need in the state, and broadband deployment will be a priority for funding. Examples of eligible funding uses include:

Planning for the deployment of high-speed Internet, including conducting research, collecting data, outreach, and training
Deploying or upgrading Internet in unserved or underserved areas or improving service to community anchor organizations
Installing Internet and Wi-Fi in multi-unit residential buildings
Adoption and digital equity programs
Workforce development programs and vocational training programs

2023 Program Projected Launch Timeline:

Digital Equity (DE) – Funds awarded for development, implementation and oversight of digital equity planning; Q2 2024

Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) – Priority funding to expand broadband access for unserved and underserved locations; 2024-2025

*Timelines are approximate and contingent on rollout of Federal programs and therefore may be subject to change

Thank you for joining us at the Internet for All: New Jersey Local Coordination Workshop on April 17.

Below are links to the recording and presentations:
Recording - Internet for All: New Jersey Local Coordination Workshop

View Presentations

Ensuring Every American has Access to Internet

The mission of New Jersey’s Broadband Office is to ensure that our residents, businesses, and communities have equitable access to affordable broadband service. Broadband connectivity provides high-speed internet necessary for economic growth and innovation, education, emergency services, healthcare, and telecommunications infrastructure. Access to high-speed internet helps to ensure public safety, increase opportunities for our businesses and workforce and provide equal opportunity for students.

“In this day and age, everyone should have high-speed Internet through which they can access remote education opportunities for themselves and their children, take advantage of telehealth, or work from home. There are still far too many New Jersey residents and businesses who don’t have access to high-speed internet and it is the Murphy Administration’s goal to make sure that they do as quickly as possible.” Joseph L. Fiordaliso, President, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities

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Take our New Jersey State Broadband Survey

The Broadband Access Study Commission (BASC), which is charged with developing recommendations to help the State achieve affordable and equitable broadband access for all residents and businesses, is asking all New Jersey residents to take the State’s broadband survey.

The survey will assess existing broadband speed and usage in addition to identifying where gaps in broadband service and access exist. The results of the survey will help the State pursue federal broadband funding.

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New Jersey’s Broadband Grants

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes a historic $65 billion investment to expand affordable and reliable high-speed Internet access in communities across the U.S. NTIA recently launched a series of new high-speed Internet grant programs funded by the law that will build high-speed Internet infrastructure across the country, create more low-cost high-speed Internet service options, and address the digital equity and inclusion needs in our communities.

New Jersey is receiving $6,098,830.90 in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, signed by President Biden, to plan for the deployment and adoption of affordable, equitable, and reliable high-speed Internet service throughout the state.

Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program

The BEAD Program provides $42.45 billion to expand high-speed Internet access by funding planning, infrastructure deployment and adoption programs.

New Jersey will receive $4,922,089.90 to fund various activities including:

Research and data collection, including initial identification of unserved locations and underserved locations;
Publications, outreach, and communications support;
Technical assistance to potential subgrantees, including through workshops and events;
Surveys of unserved, underserved, and underrepresented communities to better understand barriers to adoption.

Digital Equity

The Digital Equity Act provides $2.75 billion to establish three grant programs to ensure that all people and communities have the skills, technology, and capacity needed to reap the full benefits of our digital economy. The first part of NTIA’s execution of the Digital Equity Act is to fund digital equity planning efforts.

New Jersey will receive $1,176,741.00 to fund various activities including:

Closing the digital equity gap and the development of a Statewide Digital Equity Plan;
Staff recruitment and development.
Community and stakeholder engagement.

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.

Official Site of The State of New Jersey