Broadband Office Name: Idaho Office of Broadband (IOB)
BEAD Award Amount: $583.3 M
Idaho Broadband Director: Ramon S. Hobdey-Sanchez
Idaho BEAD Program Tracker
| State | IP Vol 1 Approval | IP Vol 2 Approval | Challenge Process Submission Closed | Challenge Process Final Determination Phase Completed | 1-Year Subgrantee Selection Process |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Idaho | Yes | No | Yes | No | N/A |
Idaho BEAD Program Information
Key Updates
The Idaho Office of Broadband (IOB) and the Idaho Broadband Advisory Board (IBAB) completed their State BEAD Challenge Process Submission Phase.
The Challenge Process phase began on Monday, June 3, 2024, and ran through Monday, July 1, 2024.
The Challenge Process Rebuttal Phase opens July 15, 2024, and the adjudications will be announced by Tuesday, October 1, 2024.
If you have any questions about the Challenge Process, reach out to [email protected].
Idaho BEAD Program Plans & Maps
Idaho BEAD Initial Proposal Volume 1 – Approved
Idaho BEAD Initial Proposal Volume 2 – Not Approved
Idaho State Broadband Map – Not Created Yet
Idaho BEAD Program Initial Proposal Volume 2: Overview
*Information is subject to change. Idaho is awaiting official approval of Initial Proposal Volume 2 from the NTIA.
BEAD Long-Term Objectives
Primary Goals and Objectives of the Idaho Office of Broadband (IOB):
- Infrastructure Investments for Connectivity:
- Objective: Prioritize infrastructure investments to connect residents, businesses, Tribal Nations, and Community Anchor Institutions (CAIs) that are unserved and underserved in Idaho.
- Target: Support the delivery of broadband speeds of 100/20 Mbps service to close the gap for the 21% of locations in Idaho that are unserved and underserved within five years.
- Economic Ecosystem Support:
- Objective: Prioritize broadband investments that support the economic ecosystem for businesses in Idaho.
- Focus: Support the deployment of broadband infrastructure that is adequate, reliable, and affordable.
- Access for Students and Educators:
- Objective: Ensure students and educators have access to affordable and reliable broadband services in their homes, schools, libraries, and communities across Idaho, especially in unserved and underserved locations.
- Action: Engage with public school officials, independent school districts, libraries, and institutions of higher learning to identify and close broadband infrastructure gaps.
- Data-Driven Infrastructure Investments:
- Objective: Establish grant programs and other projects that enable broadband infrastructure investments.
- Requirement: Ensure these investments are driven by relevant, accurate, complete, reliable, and current data.
- Enhancing Public Safety Communications:
- Objective: Prioritize broadband investments to strengthen access to reliable, resilient, scalable, and redundant broadband services.
- Target: Focus on Idaho’s Emergency Communications Centers (ECC) and other public safety facilities.
Idaho BEAD Program Project Area Design
Project areas for broadband projects in Idaho will be bounded by counties and cities. The state is requesting gigabit symmetrical connectivity for these projects. Project areas will be defined by the applicants, and in cases of overlap, Idaho will collaborate with the applicants to amend their proposed project areas.
Idaho BEAD Program Extremely High Cost Threshold
To ensure effective planning and implementation, Idaho will use data from past grant programs and a cost model tool. The evaluation will consider capital expenditure (capex), operational expenditure (opex), and the expected lifetime of the network.
BEAD Deployment Subgrantee Selection
Hawai’i is asking for the following preregistration evidence from subgrantees and compliance with: Financial capability, managerial capability, operational capability, technical capability, ownership info, public funding info, compliance with laws, cybersecurity/supply chain compliance, and BABA/EHP/NEPA/NHPA compliance.
Primary Scoring Criteria for Priority Broadband Projects
- 50 pts – Minimal BEAD Outlay
- 15 pts – Affordability
- 10 pts – Labor Standards
Secondary Scoring Criteria
- 5 pts – Speed to Deployment
- 5 pts – Speed of Network and other Technical Capabilities
- 5 pts – Local and Tribal Coordination
- 7.5 pts – Open Access
- 2.5 pts – Equitable Workforce Development
Primary Scoring Criteria for Last-Mile Broadband Projects
- 50 pts – Minimal BEAD Outlay
- 15 pts – Affordability
- 10 pts – Labor Standards
Secondary Scoring Criteria
- 5 pts – Speed to Deployment
- 5 pts – Speed of Network and other Technical Capabilities
- 5 pts – Local and Tribal Coordination
- 7.5 pts – Open Access
- 2.5 pts – Equitable Workforce Development
BEAD Non-Deployment Subgrantee Selection
After thorough analysis of the anticipated costs to deploy broadband service to all unserved and underserved locations, including eligible Community Anchor Institutions (CAIs), the Idaho Office of Broadband (IOB) has decided not to subgrant for non-deployment activities. This decision ensures that resources are focused on direct infrastructure deployment to maximize connectivity and service provision across Idaho.
BEAD Eligible Entity Implementation
Idaho plans to carry out several key initiatives independently, without making subgrants. These initiatives include:
- BEAD Challenge Process: Implementing the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) challenge process.
- Subgrantee Selection Process: Managing the selection process for subgrantees.
- Workforce Development: Focusing on workforce development related to the deployment of broadband.
- Mapping and Data Collection: Conducting mapping and data collection to support broadband deployment efforts.
BEAD Local, Tribe, and Regional Broadband Planning Process
Ongoing Engagements:
- IBAB Meetings: Regular meetings of the Idaho Broadband Advisory Board (IBAB) to discuss and advance broadband initiatives.
- Link Up Idaho Program Branding & Website: Development and maintenance of the program’s branding and website to provide information and updates.
- Contact Email for IOB: Dedicated email address for Idaho residents to contact the Idaho Office of Broadband (IOB).
- Statewide Public Broadband Survey – Challenge Process: Conducting surveys and managing the challenge process to gather public input on broadband needs.
- Digital Access for All Idahoans (DAAI) Steering Committee: Regular meetings and coordination of the DAAI Steering Committee to guide digital access initiatives.
- DAAI Community Coalition Calls: Ongoing calls with community coalitions to discuss and plan digital access efforts.
- DAAI Coordination with Broadband Action Team (BAT): Collaborating with the Broadband Action Team to enhance digital access and broadband infrastructure.
- DAAI Website: Maintaining a website dedicated to the DAAI initiative to provide resources and information.
- ISP Roundtables: Hosting roundtable discussions with Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to address broadband deployment challenges and opportunities.
- Listening Sessions: Conducting listening sessions to gather input from various stakeholders.
- Stakeholder Database: Maintaining a comprehensive database of stakeholders involved in broadband initiatives.
- NTIA Engagement Tracker: Using a tracker to monitor engagement with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).
Completed Engagements:
- Engagement Plan: Development and execution of a comprehensive engagement plan.
- Stakeholder Analysis: Conducting analysis to identify and understand key stakeholders.
- Internet for All Idahoans Local Coordination Stakeholder Workshop: Hosting workshops to coordinate local stakeholders.
- Idaho Broadband Fund Grant Program Feedback: Gathering and analyzing feedback on the Idaho Broadband Fund Grant Program.
- Idaho Broadband CPF Public Comments: Collecting public comments on the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund (CPF) allocations.
- DAAI Focus Groups: Conducting focus groups to gather detailed input on digital access needs.
- Idaho Rural Success Summit: Participating in summits to discuss broadband challenges and opportunities in rural areas.
- Interviews with Stakeholders: Conducting interviews to gather insights from key stakeholders.
- Media Toolkits: Developing toolkits to assist with media outreach and communication.
- 2023 AIC Annual Conference: Participating in the Association of Idaho Cities (AIC) Annual Conference to discuss broadband initiatives.
- Direct Mail – Public Survey: Sending direct mail to solicit input through public surveys.
- Economic Development Focus Groups: Conducting focus groups to understand the economic impact of broadband.
- Statewide Digital Access Survey: Carrying out a survey to assess digital access across the state.
- ISP Roundtables: Hosting discussions with ISPs to share information and collaborate on broadband projects.
- DAAI Coalition Calls: Facilitating calls with the DAAI coalition to discuss ongoing projects and strategies.
- Public Comment Communications: Managing public comment processes to gather input on broadband initiatives.
- Stakeholder Asset Inventory Survey: Conducting surveys to inventory stakeholder assets related to broadband.
- Formal Consultation Request to Tribal Leaders: Sending formal consultation requests to the five Tribal Leaders in Idaho.
- Statewide Regional Broadband 101 Workshop and Listening Sessions: Hosting workshops and listening sessions to educate and gather input on broadband issues.
BEAD Labor Standards & Protection
IOB requires all BEAD subgrantees to submit the following information:
A record of past compliance with federal/employment laws:
- Must address info on deployment projects within the last 3 years.
- Certification form from an Officer/Director level employee of past compliance.
- Written confirmation that subgrantee has disclosed any violations from contractors within the last 3 years.
- Discussion of workforce plan
Plans for ensuring compliance with federal/employment laws:
- How subgrantee will ensure compliance in its labor/employment practices.
- Info on applicable wage scales, wage, and overtime practices for each class of employee expected to be involved in physical construction of the network.
- How subgrantee will ensure implementation of workplace safety committees.
- Comply with the Prevailing Wages Act.
- Other items as outlined in the BEAD NOFO.
BEAD Minority Business Enterprises / Women’s Business Enterprises / Labor Surplus Area Firms Inclusion
The IOB is committed to supporting Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs), Women Business Enterprises (WBEs), and Locally Significant Area (LSA) firms through a series of targeted steps:
- Solicitation and List Development:
- Subgrantee Requirements: Require subgrantees to place qualified small businesses, MBEs, WBEs, and LSAs on their solicitation lists.
- Company List Development: Develop a comprehensive list of applicable companies.
- Encouragement and Registration: Advertise and encourage eligible businesses to register as Small Disadvantaged Businesses.
- FAQs Development: Create a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to assist businesses in understanding and participating in the process.
- Assurance of Solicitation:
- Ensure these businesses are solicited whenever they are potential sources.
- Task Division:
- Divide total requirements, when feasible, into smaller tasks to permit maximum participation by these businesses.
- Encouraging Delivery Schedules:
- Establish delivery schedules that encourage participation by these businesses.
- Utilizing Assistance Services:
- Use services and assistance from organizations like the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Targeted Outreach and Partnerships:
Idaho will engage in targeted outreach to inform these businesses of available opportunities and intends to partner with several agencies, including:
- Small Business Administration Boise Office
- Small Business Administration Seattle Office
- Idaho Small Business Development Center
- Idaho Black Community Alliance
- Idaho Women’s Business Center
- Idaho Native American Women Business Alliance
- Minority Business Development Agencies
- Tribal Employment Rights Office
BEAD Cost & Barrier Reduction
1. Promoting the use of existing infrastructure.
2. Promoting and adapting dig-once policies.
3. Streamlining permitting processes.
4. Streamlining cost-effective access to poles, conduits, and easements.
5. Streamlining rights of way, including the imposition of reasonable access requirements.
BEAD Low-Cost Broadband Service Option
According to the United States Census Bureau 2021 data, 11% of Idaho’s population lives in poverty, and only 17% of eligible households have enrolled in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). To address this gap, the State of Idaho proposes the following criteria for all low-cost broadband services:
- Affordability:
- Ensure services are affordable for the eligible population.
- To the extent possible, keep costs at $30 per month or less, inclusive of all taxes, fees, and charges.
- ACP Compatibility:
- Allow end users to apply the ACP subsidy, or a successor program subsidy, to achieve “net free” access.
- Speed and Performance:
- Provide a minimum of 100/20 Mbps or the greatest speed possible from the existing infrastructure.
- Ensure typical latency measurements are no more than 100 milliseconds.
- No Restrictions:
- Services should not be subject to data caps, surcharges, or usage-based throttling.
- Upgrade Flexibility:
- If the provider later offers a low-cost plan with higher speeds, allow eligible subscribers currently on a low-cost broadband service option to upgrade to the new offering at no additional cost.
- Mandatory ACP Participation:
- Require subgrantees to participate in the ACP or a successor program to ensure affordability for low-income households.
BEAD Middle-Class Affordability
With the median household income in Idaho being $90,121 in 2020, the Idaho Office of Broadband (IOB) plans to address middle-class affordability by mitigating several risks:
- High Subscription Costs by Small Providers: Small, local providers may propose low requested BEAD support but set high subscription costs.
- Shifting Costs to Consumers: Providers may shift drop and installation costs to consumers to recover capital costs.
- Service Refusal in Expensive Locations: Providers might refuse to serve expensive locations.
- Differential Pricing: There may be differential pricing between urban areas and new project areas.
Program Elements for Affordability:
- Benchmark Rates:
- The IOB will use the FCC’s annual Urban Rate Survey rate as the benchmark for middle-class internet service plans.
- Scoring Criteria:
- The IOB will allocate 15% of the scoring criteria to evaluate proposals under the BEAD program based on their ability to serve a location affordably.
- Rate Standards:
- The rate for the highest speed threshold plan, as listed in the FCC’s Urban Rate Survey, will be adopted as the standard for scoring applicants’ highest speed threshold plans.
- Inclusive Service Costs:
- Service costs must include all taxes, fees, and charges, with no additional non-recurring costs or fees to the consumer.
- Contractual Requirements:
- The price and speed offerings for the service must be maintained as a contractual requirement for the useful life of the network assets, defined by the IOB as eight years.
- The price may be indexed to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), as outlined by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, but the annual increase shall not exceed 4%.
