Arizona

More than 36 Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program draft final proposals have been released by states and territories. In these plans, each state is deciding how to connect its un- and underserved locations before submitting its final proposals to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) for approval. Through these draft final proposals, we are seeing how states have adjusted their broadband deployment activities as a result of the BEAD Program restructuring and the Benefit of the Bargain application round.

Arizona and New Mexico reported a surge in applications for federal broadband funding after being directed to relaunch “technology-neutral” grant rounds under the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program. Nick Capozzi, Arizona’s state broadband director, said that the state received 33 percent more applications in the latest round.

Schurz Communications formed Schurz Broadband Group (SBG), a new division designed to unify and amplify the strengths of regional fiber-based internet providers under one mission-driven broadband organization.

The Arizona State Broadband Office received more than 200 competitive applications with full coverage for the entire state as part of the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Benefit of the Bargain (BOTB) Round, which closed on July 22, 2025. The BOTB Round welcomed cooperatives, nonprofits, private companies, utilities and tribal entities. This effort aims to provide all Arizonans with the opportunity to access high-speed internet. Ultimately, 206 applications were submitted by 28 eligible entities including all technology types.

Network development and information infrastructure professional services provider Tilson Technology Management has filed a breach of contract lawsuit against networking firm Gigapower in which it seeks more than $200 million it claims to be owed for building networks in Nevada and Arizona. Tilson says that Gigapower breached a contract between the two companies and owes Tilson for termination charges, underpayments, and missed payments.

Prime Fiber has begun construction of an open-access network in Sun City (AZ) that will be used by AT&T. It’s the latest reminder of AT&T’s broad strategy to expand fiber broadband availability. AT&T is building open-access networks of its own through its Gigapower joint venture with investment firm BlackRock.

Metronet will bring its 100 percent fiber-optic internet to Prescott Valley (AZ). The project, made possible through a privately funded $18.5 million investment from Metronet, marks the company's third community in Arizona.

After being officially approved in January, Kingman (AZ)-based Wecom Fiber officially broke ground on its high-speed, fiber broadband network for Flagstaff on April 16. The Flagstaff City Council officially selected Wecom Fiber in September 2024 to bring high-speed broadband Internet to 34 city facilities, including Flagstaff City Hall, the Flagstaff Aquaplex, public libraries, fire stations, and more. The contract was approved in January, with Flagstaff providing $2 million from a city grant to fund the project, with $3 million contributed by Wecom, according to its press release.

Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes (D-AZ) expressed deep concern and disappointment following the abrupt placement of staff on administrative leave at the Institute of Museum and Library Services, leaving federal grants to local libraries in jeopardy. “Federal grants are basically tax dollars being put to work in a smart way to help the people who paid them in. The reckless layoff of IMLS staff is a devastating act of sabotage,” said Secretary Fontes.