Indiana $340 Million BEAD Funds to Broadband Expansion

Over 400 Projects Funded, Covering 70% of Eligible Locations

The Indiana Broadband Office has preliminarily awarded $340 million in Round 1 of the BEAD program, funding more than 400 fiber projects across the state. These projects will bring high-speed internet to over 90,000 locations—roughly 70% of Indiana’s eligible areas—using cost-effective, 100% fiber solutions. With just 40% of BEAD funding allocated so far, even greater opportunities lie ahead in Round 2.

The Indiana Broadband Office (IBO) has announced the preliminary funding awards for Round 1 of the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. A total of $340 million has been allocated to 24 providers to support over 400 projects across the state. These deployments will deliver fiber broadband to more than 90,000 addresses—approximately 70% of Indiana’s currently eligible unserved and underserved locations.

All Round 1 projects will use fiber technology and were selected based on cost-efficiency, with an average subsidy of approximately $3,700 per passing. So far, the IBO has committed 40% of its total BEAD funding, with 60% remaining for future rounds.

Next Steps for Providers

The IBO will now work with providers to define project areas using the remaining eligible locations for Round 2. Final award approvals are expected later this year, following provisional approval by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).

Digital Opportunity Applications Open April 30

In addition to BEAD, the Digital Opportunity grant program opens for applications on April 30, 2025. Providers interested in applying should review the guidance and FAQ documents provided by the state and ensure they are registered at SAM.gov to obtain a Unique Entity ID (UEI), which is required for all federal funding recipients.

Two public webinars will be held in May and June to assist applicants in understanding program requirements.

More on Public Broadband

• Follow Indiana Broadband – Indiana’s BEAD office – for news and updates
• More of our recent stories about BEAD and public broadband programs
• For up-to-date information on the $42 billion BEAD Program, check Brander Group’s BEAD funding progress dashboard