Kansas Broadband Receives Federal Approval for $166.6 Million BEAD Final Proposal

Governor Laura Kelly (D-KS) announced that the National Telecommunications and Information Administration has approved the Kansas Office of Broadband Development’s $166.6 million final proposal for the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program. The approval represents a significant milestone toward delivering high-speed internet access to the 26,673 eligible households and businesses across Kansas. Kansas’ final proposal builds on volumes one and two of the initial proposal and is revised in alignment with NTIA’s 2025 BEAD Restructuring Policy Notice. The notice, issued June 6, 2025, required all states to run a new application round with additional guidance eliminating the Kansas technology preference for fiber projects. The approved plan outlines the state’s comprehensive subgrantee selection process and implementation strategies designed to ensure efficiency in the deployment of high-speed internet. KOBD received competitive bids for 100% of the eligible homes and businesses, ultimately selecting 14 subrecipients.  The average BEAD cost per location stands at $6,791 with technology solutions spanning fiber (30 percent), fixed wireless (67 percent), and Low Earth Orbit satellite service (3 percent).