Broadband Expansion in the Capital Region
With the availability of Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program funding, New York State is now able to take critical next steps to expand broadband access. Using the finalized mapping data, the state has been divided into specific service areas to guide deployment efforts. Internet Service Providers (ISPs) can bid on these areas to build out infrastructure and deliver service to unserved and underserved locations. While BEAD funding represents a major new investment, previous broadband expansion efforts relied on a mix of state programs, private investment, and other federal funding sources.
To support these efforts in the Capital Region, CDRPC engaged Tectonic Engineering to submit address level challenges, identify and shape service areas for ISP bidding, and guide counties through the complex planning and funding process. This work contributed to the award of more than $13,190,048 million dollars in BEAD grants to regional ISPs to provide highspeed broadband service to 2,097 unserved locations in the region.
These efforts build on a foundation of comprehensive broadband data collection and mapping, which provide the basis for identifying priority areas and allocating funding. The Broadband Data Collection (BDC) process is the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC’s) primary method for gathering broadband availability data across the United States. Twice a year, broadband providers submit fixed and mobile service availability data to the FCC. This information is compiled into a nationwide dataset known as the Broadband Serviceable Location (BSL) Fabric, which identifies every location in the country where broadband service can be installed. The FCC uses the BSL Fabric to generate the National Broadband Map, a critical tool for identifying unserved and underserved areas. Individuals, organizations, and governments can participate in the Broadband Data Challenge Process to report inaccuracies and help improve the map’s accuracy, ensuring that funding like BEAD is directed to the communities that need it most. Explore the BEAD funds to the Capital Region by interacting with the dashboard below.
