$793M in PA Broadband Grants Provisionally Approved

Pennsylvania advances broadband with $793M in Grants

The Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) has announced the provisional approval of $793.4 million in Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) grants. Once finalized, the funding is expected to connect every remaining household and business in the Commonwealth to reliable high-speed internet.

Timeline for Final Approval

The PBDA’s proposal is now open for a seven-day public comment period ending August 29, 2025. After that, the final plan will be submitted to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) by September 4, 2025. Federal officials have committed to approving and disbursing the funds before year’s end, allowing construction to move forward quickly.

Efficient Use of Federal Funds

Pennsylvania was originally allocated $1.16 billion in BEAD support. Thanks to cost-efficient planning and negotiations, the state is now preparing to deliver universal broadband with less than expected, highlighting the PBDA’s push for affordability and comprehensive coverage.

Technology Mix

The provisional awards reflect a diverse set of technologies, including:

• Fiber
• Hybrid-fiber coaxial
• Fixed wireless
• Low-Earth orbit satellite

This approach ensures connectivity even in Pennsylvania’s most challenging rural and mountainous regions.

Public Engagement and Transparency

“Reliable, high-speed internet is essential for education, health care, and economic opportunity. By posting the proposal for public comment, we’re engaging Pennsylvanians directly in our effort to close the digital divide,” said PBDA Executive Director Brandon Carson.

What BEAD Funds Can Cover

The grants may be used for:

• Construction and physical infrastructure improvements
• Long-term leases
• Multi-family residential broadband deployment
• Planning, design, and engineering
• Personnel costs
• Network software upgrades

Projects must include at least a 25% match of total costs, but there are no caps or minimums on award size.

Next Steps

After the public comment window closes, Pennsylvania’s plan will move to the NTIA for review. If approved, the state expects to launch projects quickly, with funding in place by late 2025. The initiative represents the final major step for Pennsylvania to close its digital divide and ensure universal high-speed broadband access.

More on BEAD and Broadband

• More of our recent stories about BEAD and public broadband programs at Brander Group
• For up-to-date information on the $42 billion BEAD Program, check Brander Group’s BEAD funding progress dashboard