The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities announced that the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has approved New Jersey’s Final Proposal to deliver universal broadband access through the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program – delivering about $62 million in broadband infrastructure funding to New Jersey.
The approval marks a major milestone in New Jersey’s long-term strategy to close the digital divide and ensure that residents, businesses, and community anchor institutions have access to reliable, high-speed internet service.
NTIA’s decision follows months of data-driven planning and public engagement led by the Office of Broadband Connectivity within The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, which developed a comprehensive plan to invest BEAD resources in unserved and underserved areas across the state.
“Universal broadband access is essential to economic development, education, health care and quality of life,” said NJBPU President Christine Guhl-Sadovy. “This federal approval affirms New Jersey’s commitment to ensuring that every household — no matter its ZIP code — has a reliable and affordable connection to the digital economy.”
According to a 2023 report from Rutgers University’s New Jersey State Policy Lab, about 14% of Black and 13% Hispanic population in households in New Jersey do not have access to the internet and a computer, compared with 9% of White households in New Jersey. The difference is more pronounced in the communities of Newark, Trenton, and Camden. About one quarter of all households in Newark (23%), Camden (23%) and Trenton (26%) lack access to the internet.
Under federal procedures, the NTIA will conduct a final administrative review within 20 days. Once complete, New Jersey will begin drawing funds and initiating the first round of construction projects in early 2026.
The approved BEAD Final Proposal represents the next phase funding broadband infrastructure deployment. New Jersey’s approach emphasizes public-private partnerships, cost-effective engineering, and community engagement to ensure lasting, equitable connectivity.
“Affordable, high-speed internet is no longer a luxury — it’s a necessity,” said Valarry Bullard, Director of the NJBPU’s Office of Broadband Connectivity. “This award is the product of years of thoughtful planning, cooperation, and investment across state and local government, the private sector, and community partners.”
Funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the BEAD Program is a $42.45 billion federal initiative to connect every American to high-speed internet. States and territories use BEAD funds to plan and deploy broadband infrastructure; support workforce training; enhance service for schools, libraries, and multi-unit housing; and expand internet affordability and adoption programs.
New Jersey joins the first wave of 18 BEAD-approved states and territories and is now one of 29 total early implementers nationally that have Final Proposals approved and are authorized to move from planning to deployment.
New Jersey has taken major steps in recent years to expand broadband access and improve service quality statewide. Earlier in 2025, the state’s $40 million Broadband Infrastructure Deployment Equity (NJBIDE) program moved into the deployment phase, supporting projects from providers such as Brightspeed and Verizon to bring fiber connectivity to rural and underserved communities in Sussex, Warren and Salem counties.
