BEAD Program Impact Assessment for Minnesota

This technical report provides an assessment of the BEAD Program's impact on broadband availability in Minnesota as of January 2024. It outlines the number of unserved and underserved locations eligible for BEAD funding, highlighting that 196,000 locations lack high-speed broadband access, which is significantly higher than the state average of 9%. The report details the estimated funding allocated to Minnesota, which totals $652 million, and discusses the total capital available, estimated at $1 billion, to serve these locations. It presents deployment scenarios for broadband service, indicating that 74,500 locations are estimated to lack access at 100/20 Mbps. The report also discusses the provider match funding, which is estimated at $362 million, and the average provider match per location. Additionally, it analyzes the cost to deploy fiber and other technologies, providing insights into the prioritization of funding for broadband deployment in rural areas. The findings suggest that Minnesota must balance fiber deployment with the need to retain funds for other eligible programs.