Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Challenge Process
The Idaho Office of Broadband is preparing for the State’s BEAD Challenge Process. All challenges must be submitted within a 28-day window. More information on when the BEAD Challenge Process will begin will be posted soon. Additional resources and information to help you prepare for the Challenge Process have been posted below.
What is the Challenge Process?
The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program requires the Idaho Office of Broadband (IOB) to create a “Challenge Process” through which a unit of local government, nonprofit organization, or internet service provider (ISP) may challenge whether the internet availability at a particular location or community anchor institution is unserved or underserved.
An unserved location is defined as having access to service that is only 25/3 Mbps or lower.
An underserved location is defined as having access to service that is less than 100/20 Mbps, but higher than 25/3 Mbps.
IOB Challenge Process Timeline
More details on Idaho’s Challenge Process will be posted soon. The IOB will conduct pre-registration for the Challenge Process as well. Below is a general timeline.
COSTQUEST LICENSE
IOB recommends permissible challengers to obtain a license as soon as possible.
We are here.
CHALLENGE PROCESS PREVIEW
The IOB will hold a two-week preview of the challenge portal prior to opening the challenge process. Additionally, there will be open office hours during this period.
CHALLENGE PROCESS BEGINS
The Challenge Process
will begin. Permissible
challengers will have 28 days
to submit challenges.
REBUTTAL PHASE
Rebuttal Phase will then
open for 28 days. More
information will be provided
soon.
ADJUDICATION PHASE
The IOB will have
approximately 60 days to
work through adjudications.
COMING SOON: Preview for the Idaho BEAD Challenge Process Portal
The IOB will hold a one-week preview of the Challenge Process. The preview will provide permissible challengers time to become familiar with the Challenge Portal interface before the official kickoff of the program. Challengers should utilize this time to work through their portal and reach out with any questions. There will also be open office hours during this week to field any questions.
BEAD Challenge Process Assistance
COMING SOON: Webinar
The Idaho Office of Broadband will be hosting a webinar to cover essential information on how to participate in the BEAD Challenge Process, ensuring that you have a clear understanding of the steps involved, submission requirements and the resources available to you. Check back soon for more information on these webinars.
COMING SOON: Office Hours
The IOB will be holding open forums for permissible challengers and members of the public to ask the IOB questions about the work our office is doing, with a particular focus on the upcoming BEAD Challenge Process.
All are welcome during any session to speak with our broadband staff. Sessions will be held from 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. MT. Check back soon for office hour dates.
COMING SOON: Challenge Process Resources
CostQuest License
Some challengers may want to submit bulk challenges. If you plan to do so, the eligible entity must obtain a CostQuest license. A CostQuest license will enable the permissible challenger to download the full FCC National Broadband Map Fabric for Idaho. The NTIA has allocated funds for permissible challengers to obtain these licenses for free. The license tiers for BEAD-eligible entities are D and E, depending on the entity type and project objectives.
There is an approval process to receive a license. As many other states are beginning their BEAD Challenge Processes simultaneously, the IOB anticipates this approval process to take multiple weeks. Therefore, request a license as soon as possible if you intend to participate in Idaho’s Challenge Process.
Contact us
Questions? Reach out to us via the form below.