Listen to this articleNew Jersey received federal approval for approximately $62 million in broadband infrastructure funding under the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program.
The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities announced approval for the state’s BEAD Final Proposal from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration in December.
That clears the way for construction to begin early this year. It also marks a major milestone in the state’s long-term effort to close the digital divide and achieve universal broadband access.
NJBPU‘s Office of Broadband Connectivity developed the proposal following months of data-driven planning and public engagement. The plan targets unserved and underserved areas across the state. The strategy emphasizes public-private partnerships; cost-effective engineering; and community input to ensure equitable, long-lasting connectivity.
“Universal broadband access is essential to economic development, education, health care, and quality of life,” said NJBPU President Christine Guhl-Sadovy. “This federal approval affirms New Jersey’s commitment to ensuring that every household — no matter its ZIP code — has a reliable and affordable connection to the digital economy.”
Within 20 days, NTIA will conduct a final administrative review. Once that process is complete, the state has authorization to begin drawing funds as well as initiating the first round of projects.
Expanding access
“Affordable, high-speed internet is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity,” said Valarry Bullard, director of the NJBPU’s Office of Broadband Connectivity. “This award is the product of years of thoughtful planning, cooperation, and investment across state and local government, the private sector, and community partners.”
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds the BEAD program. The $42.45 billion federal initiative aims at connecting every American to high-speed internet.
With the approval, New Jersey joins the first wave of 18 BEAD-approved states and territories.
It is also among 29 early implementers nationally authorized to move from planning to deployment.
The award builds on the state’s recent broadband investments, such as the $40 million NJ Broadband Infrastructure Deployment Equity program. NJBIDE entered the deployment phase in early 2025.
