The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) announced that the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has approved New Jersey’s Final Proposal for the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. This approval will provide approximately $62 million in broadband infrastructure funding to the state.
The BEAD program aims to expand reliable, high-speed internet access across unserved and underserved areas. The Office of Broadband Connectivity within NJBPU led planning efforts, which included data analysis and public engagement.
“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 federal procedures, NTIA will conduct a final administrative review within 20 days. After this process is complete, New Jersey will begin drawing funds and start construction projects in early 2026.
New Jersey’s plan focuses on public-private partnerships, cost-effective engineering solutions, and community involvement to ensure equitable connectivity throughout the state.
“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.”
The BEAD Program was created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law as part of a $42.45 billion national initiative for broadband expansion. States use these funds for infrastructure deployment as well as workforce training and programs supporting affordability in schools and libraries.
New Jersey joins other states as one of 29 early implementers nationally with approved Final Proposals moving from planning into deployment phases.
In recent years New Jersey has taken steps to improve broadband service statewide. Earlier in 2025, its $40 million Broadband Infrastructure Deployment Equity (NJBIDE) program entered deployment with providers such as Brightspeed and Verizon bringing fiber connectivity to rural communities in Sussex, Warren, and Salem Counties.
The NJBPU regulates electric, natural gas, telecommunications, water and cable television services across New Jersey according to its official website. The agency provides oversight statewide and works to ensure safe, reliable utility services at reasonable rates for residents and businesses.
