WASHINGTON, D.C. — The federal government on Monday approved Pennsylvania’s plan to deploy approximately $711 million in Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment funding, clearing the way for a sweeping expansion of high-speed Internet service to an estimated 129,000 unserved and underserved locations across the Commonwealth.
The approval by the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration marks a major milestone in Pennsylvania’s effort to close persistent connectivity gaps, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach communities that have long lacked reliable broadband access.
State officials said the plan incorporates recent federal reforms aimed at cutting red tape and reducing costs, including the elimination of prescriptive technology mandates. NTIA said those changes are expected to generate approximately $450,000 in cost savings by allowing providers to tailor solutions to local geography and infrastructure needs, while maximizing the impact of taxpayer dollars.
“NTIA’s approval of Pennsylvania’s plan allows Pennsylvania to further invest in high-speed Internet connectivity that will close the digital divide and transform rural communities across the Commonwealth,” U.S. Senator Dave McCormick said. He added that the funding would expand opportunities for small businesses, education, telehealth, and seniors who currently must travel long distances to access medical care.
The approved plan relies on a mix of fiber, fixed wireless, and satellite technologies to reach unserved areas, reflecting policy changes outlined in NTIA’s BEAD Restructuring Policy Notice issued in June. The agency said the diversified approach is designed to accelerate deployment timelines and better match solutions to Pennsylvania’s varied terrain.
McCormick credited the Trump administration with reshaping the program to emphasize flexibility and efficiency. “More options, lower costs, faster deployment. This is how government should work,” he said.
NTIA Administrator Arielle Roth said Pennsylvania’s proposal stood out for both its technological diversity and its level of private-sector participation, noting that private investment is expected to nearly match the federal dollars awarded. She said the approval sets the stage for construction to begin, describing a future that includes “shovels in the ground and satellites in the sky” as the state works toward universal connectivity.
With federal approval secured, Pennsylvania can now move forward with implementation, bringing broadband service to communities that state and federal officials say have waited too long to be fully connected.
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