Idaho

The Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau (WCB or Bureau) announced that certain Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) census block groups (CBGs) are now eligible for other funding programs.

Lumen Technologies wrote to the Federal Communications Commission to relinquish Rural Digital Opportunity Fund awards in areas of Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Oregon, and Washington. "As a result of Lumen’s relinquishment of support, these census block groups may now become eligible for other federal, state, or local subsidy programs, such as the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program.

The Idaho Broadband Office has announced 43 approvals of applications in the prequalification phase of the state’s Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment Program subgrantee selection. The 43 approvals—some of which are provisional—were from 45 applications that were submitted. The state office stressed that selection in the pre-approval process doesn’t mean that the application will be selected in the final approval process.

The Idaho Commission for Libraries (ICfL) shared a couple of important updates about the Digital Access for All Idahoans (DAAI) Plan. The ICfL did not receive full spending authority from the Idaho Legislature for the federally funded DAAI Plan in the upcoming fiscal year. This impacts the scope of projects and opportunities tied to the plan. Notably, the ICfL will not be allowed to open another round of monetary subgrants in fiscal year 2026. The ICfL does anticipate being able to award the initial round of subgrants that opened in fall 2024.

The Idaho Commission for Libraries, public libraries and partners, and the people of Idaho are once again caught in the culture war’s crosshairs. There’s been a last-minute effort by some members of the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee to eliminate the $6.3 million that has been appropriated by Congress to implement the Digital Access for All Idahoans Plan.

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has recommended for award more than $250 million to 24 organizations to support digital skills and inclusion projects in communities across the country. The funding will support 24 projects across 39 states and territories. Awards will be issued following budget review and processing. 

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced more than $313 million in funding to connect rural residents, farmers and business owners in 18 states to reliable high-speed internet.

The Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau announced that certain Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) census block groups (CBG) are now eligible for other funding programs.

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) awarded more than $6.3 million to Idaho to implement its Digital Equity Plan. This funding comes from the $1.44 billion State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program, one of three Digital Equity Act grant programs created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has approved Idaho, North Dakota and American Samoa’s Initial Proposals for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program.  This approval enables Idaho, North Dakota, and American Samoa to request access to funding and begin implementation of the BEAD program. This action allows states and territories to request:  

• Idaho: Over $583 Million
• North Dakota: Over $130 Million
• American Samoa: Over $37 Million