GOVERNOR LOMBARDO ANNOUNCES FEDERAL APPROVAL OF NEVADA’S BEAD PLAN

Governor Joe Lombardo and Britta Appel, Director of the Governor's Office of Science, Innovation and Technology (OSIT), announced today that Nevada's Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Final Proposal was approved by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).  This approval unlocks more than $170 million of Nevada's $416 million total BEAD allocation for projects in all corners of the state, expanding high-speed internet access to over 28,000 homes, businesses, and community anchor institutions. OSIT will leverage more than $65 million in private sector investment as a part of the BEAD deployment.

"A commitment was made to connect every Nevadan to reliable, high-speed internet, and it remains one of my top priorities. With this final approval from the NTIA, I am proud to announce that we are delivering on that promise," said Governor Joe Lombardo.  "This is an essential investment in Nevada's future. We have focused on making smart, practical, and targeted investments to ensure every Nevadan has access to the tools and technology needed to prosper and create greater opportunities across our state."

"This historic funding will be transformative for communities statewide," said Britta Appel, Director of OSIT. "I am proud of the work our team has done, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring affordable, reliable high-speed internet is accessible to all Nevadans, regardless of where they live. With NTIA approval of Nevada's BEAD proposal, we are now one step closer to deployment and realizing our goals."

Part of the High-Speed Nevada Initiative Phase III, Nevada's BEAD Final Proposal represents the culmination of years of broadband mapping, planning, and stakeholder engagement. Over the past 18 months, OSIT led multiple open and competitive bidding rounds to award funds, resulting in a fair process that drove down costs and maximized taxpayer value. Nevada received competitive proposals for every single unserved location identified on the Federal Communications Commission's national broadband map.

Deployment of BEAD projects is expected to begin in mid-2026. While BEAD-funded projects ramp up, progress continues on other Phase III broadband projects throughout the state. In addition to the $170 million in BEAD funding and $65 million in private investment, Phase III includes over $150 million in funding from the American Rescue Plan Act and the Capital Projects Fund, collectively bringing high-speed connectivity to more than 20,000 homes and businesses by the end of 2026.  These investments build on the $275 million Nevada has already dedicated to middle-mile broadband projects, together representing the largest public-sector broadband investment in state history.

Phase III of the High-Speed Nevada Initiative will connect every unserved and underserved location in the state using the most effective mix of technologies, including fiber-optic, hybrid-fiber-coax, licensed fixed wireless, and satellite broadband, ensuring no community is left behind. Construction will occur over the next four years, bringing the benefits of connectivity to every corner of the state.

Following the approval of Nevada's BEAD Final Proposal, the state will have more than $200 million remaining in its BEAD allocation. OSIT is awaiting further guidance from NTIA regarding the use of these funds.

More information about the BEAD program and the Final Proposal can be found on the OSIT website: https://www.osit.nv.gov.

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