Idaho Office of Broadband Update: April 2025
The Idaho Office of Broadband and Idaho Broadband Advisory Board are excited to share the following update with the State’s partners and stakeholders.
Idaho BEAD Program
BEAD Application Project Areas (APAs)
The State’s APAs are now final and can be viewed via BEAD APA Map 3.0.
There are a total of 587 APAs, statewide.
Round 1 Public Comments (Thursday, November 21, 2024, to Thursday, December 19, 2024, @ 11:59pm MT)
Round 2 Public Comments (Thursday, March 13, 2025, to Thursday, March 27, 2025, @ 11:59pm MT)
BEAD Prequalification Application Phase
The State’s third-party consultant, Michael Baker International, has now wrapped up the prequalification process.
View a list of Idaho BEAD eligible applicants attached. (Total = 43)
All technology types are represented in the applicant pool.
Round 1 (Thursday, January 16, 2025, to Friday, February 14, 2025, @ 11:59pm MT)
43 Applications Received
41 Required Curing
41 Approved
2 Denied or Incomplete
Round 2 (Thursday, March 13, 2025, to Thursday, March 27, 2025, @ 11:59pm MT)
2 Applications Received
2 Required Curing
2 Approved
BEAD Funding Application Phase
The State is committed to opening the Funding Application Phase in Q2 of CY25.
All guidance documents and materials will be made available at least 21-days prior to opening.
Idaho Broadband Advisory Board
Nex Meeting: Wednesday, May 14, 2025 @ 9:30am MT
Agenda and meeting details forthcoming.
2025 Broadband Legislation
HB180aaS: Streamlining Permitting (Rep. Vander Woude)
- Amended in the Senate
- Signed by Gov. 4/14/25
- Effective July 1, 2025
HB299: IBAB Membership and Broadband Grant Programs (Rep. Vander Woude)
- Signed by Gov. 3/19/25
- Effective July 1, 2025
- Replaced HB170
HB300: Amends Idaho’s Dig Once Policy (Rep. Vander Woude)
- Replaced HB145
- Both bills held in House Transportation & Defense Committee
Other News
2025 Idaho Rural Success Summit
Hosted by the Coeur d’Alene Tribe @ the Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel in Worley, Idaho
April 30th & May 1st
Bridging Resources Series
Stay informed, engaged and educated by monitoring Link Up Idaho.