Wisconsin PSC Opens $60 Million Broadband Grants to Reach 30,000 Remaining Locations
Updated
Updated · Government Technology · Jul 14
Wisconsin PSC Opens $60 Million Broadband Grants to Reach 30,000 Remaining Locations
1 articles · Updated · Government Technology · Jul 14
Summary
$60 million in state broadband grants is now open for applications, targeting underserved Wisconsin homes and businesses that are not expected to receive federal support.
About 30,000 locations would still lack high-speed internet even after roughly $750 million in federal BEAD awards, prompting the Public Service Commission to use its Universal Service Fund and returned grant money.
Wisconsin still has about 200,000 of its 2.3 million broadband-serviceable locations below the 100/20 Mbps standard, though officials say most remaining gaps could be closed by 2030 with state and federal dollars.
Since 2019, Gov. Tony Evers' administration says more than $345 million has expanded or improved service for over 410,000 homes and businesses.
Industry officials say the final buildout will not solve broader problems of reliability, affordability and digital literacy, especially in areas with only one provider.