Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Funding Award

Broadband Expansion Across Spokane County

Broadlinc has been awarded nearly $90 million in Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) funding to expand broadband infrastructure across 13 project areas throughout Spokane County.

These projects will connect over 9,000 homes, businesses, farms, and community institutions through a combination of new fiber-optic infrastructure and next-generation fixed wireless technology. More than 400 miles of fiber infrastructure are expected to be constructed as part of this effort.

This investment represents one of the largest broadband expansion efforts ever undertaken in Spokane County and is intended to improve access to reliable, high-speed internet in areas that have historically lacked adequate broadband service.

A Hybrid Broadband Network

Fiber infrastructure will serve as the backbone of the network and will also provide direct fiber connections in some locations. Other locations may be served through next generation fixed wireless technology that utilizes fiber-connected network infrastructure and professionally installed equipment at the customer location.

Final determinations regarding whether a specific location will receive fiber or fixed wireless service will occur during engineering, environmental review, permitting, and deployment planning.

Open Access Service Model

Broadlinc is a public broadband infrastructure organization. Broadlinc builds and manages broadband infrastructure but does not provide retail internet service directly to customers. Instead, internet service will be offered by participating internet service providers that utilize Broadlinc’s network infrastructure. This open access approach encourages competition, expands consumer choice, and allows multiple providers to serve residents and businesses using the same underlying network.

Additional information regarding participating providers will be made available as service areas approach activation.

Compliance

Government Owned Network (GON) Compliance with Financial and Managerial Capacity and Financial Transparency
2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (as filed with SAO)
2024 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (as filed with SAO)
2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (as filed with SAO)

Project Timeline

Broadlinc is currently advancing engineering, environmental review, permitting, procurement, and deployment planning activities.

Construction and service activation will occur in phases across the awarded project areas. Because each area must complete multiple planning and approval processes before construction can begin, timelines will vary by project area.

The BEAD Program requires all awarded locations to have access to service no later than the end of 2029.

Typical Project Phases

  • Award and Contract Execution
  • Engineering and Field Verification
  • Environmental and Historic Preservation Review
  • Permitting and Utility Coordination
  • Material Procurement
  • Network Construction
  • Testing and Activation
  • Service Availability

What Residents Can Expect

As projects move forward, residents may observe activities such as:

  • Engineering and field surveys
  • Utility locating
  • Environmental review work
  • Fiber construction in public rights-of-way
  • Pole replacement or attachment activities
  • Fixed wireless site construction
  • Network testing and activation

Most work will occur within public rights-of-way or utility corridors. If access to private property is required, property owners will be contacted directly and permission will be obtained before work occurs.

Frequently Asked Questions

If your property is located within one of Broadlinc’s awarded BEAD project areas, and if it currently receives slow or no internet, it is expected to receive access to broadband service through the project. Additional project information and updates will be provided as planning and construction progress.

That determination has not yet been finalized. Technology decisions will be made during engineering and deployment planning based on project requirements, network performance objectives, permitting considerations, and construction feasibility.

Modern fixed wireless systems are significantly different from older satellite or legacy wireless internet services. Broadlinc systems use dedicated broadband equipment and advanced technologies to deliver reliable high-speed internet service from nearby fiber-connected network infrastructure.

Fixed wireless technology plays an important role in extending broadband access to locations where direct fiber connections may be more challenging or costly to construct while still providing high-quality broadband service.

Service availability will occur in phases throughout the deployment period. Specific activation dates are not yet available for most project areas. All awarded locations are expected to have access to service by the conclusion of the BEAD deployment period.

Broadlinc builds and manages broadband infrastructure. Retail internet service will be provided by participating internet service providers operating on the network. Visit broadlinc.org/network to view current providers.

Pricing and service plans will be established by participating internet service providers and may vary by provider and service offering. Contact Broadlinc’s partner providers listed at broadlinc.org/network for more details.

Most construction activities occur within public rights-of-way or utility corridors. If a location is eligible for a fiber drop or if other work on private property becomes necessary, property owners will be contacted before construction occurs.

Stay Informed

Broadlinc will continue providing updates as engineering, permitting, construction, and service activation activities progress.

For project updates and additional information, visit this page or sign up for updates below.