Guest ContributorThe State of Arizona has launched its biggest-ever campaign to eliminate the digital divide with a $967 million investment in broadband technology across rural and underserved communities.
The allocation comes via the state鈥檚 Broadband Equity, Access & Deployment (BEAD) program, which utilizes a mix of federal funds and private matching dollars. Arizona鈥檚 BEAD spending plan has now been approved by the National Telecommunications & Information Administration, enabling the effort to move forward.
鈥淥pportunity for every Arizonan means access to fast, affordable, reliable internet, no matter your zip code,鈥� said Governor Katie Hobbs 鈥淲ith this historic investment, we鈥檙e not just closing the digital divide, but also opening doors to economic opportunity in every corner of our state. I’m grateful to the ACA and everyone who has played a role in advancing this critical project. From education to health care to workforce development, broadband is key to Arizona鈥檚 present and future.鈥�
Arizona鈥檚 plan will cover 70 project areas encompassing an estimated 160,000 eligible households and over 1,200 鈥渃ommunity anchor鈥� institutions, such as schools, libraries and hospitals.
鈥淭his is a transformational moment for Arizona,鈥� said Sandra Watson, President & CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority. 鈥淲ith final BEAD approval, we are moving full speed ahead to connect every household and community with high-speed internet.鈥�
It is estimated the broadband rollout will include the installation of more than 7,700 miles of fiber optic technology statewide. Construction is expected to begin in early 2026.
Lack of reliable, high-speed Internet has long been cited as an economic impediment in rural and tribal communities. Quality broadband is now considered essential technology for telehealth patients, job-seekers, entrepreneurs, students and more.
鈥淔iber broadband is core 21st-century infrastructure,鈥� said Travis Lingenfelter, Chairman of the Mohave County Board of Supervisors. 鈥淭his BEAD funding further equips rural Mohave County with the connectivity needed for education, healthcare services, public safety, industrial and small-business growth, and a stronger quality of life.鈥�
鈥淥n behalf of the Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians, I wish to express our appreciation and gratitude for this BEAD program and the prospect of connectivity,鈥� said Roland Maldonado, Tribal Chairman of the Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians. 鈥淎s a far northern Arizona tribe in an extreme rural community without the modern conveniences of readily available connections to cellular networks and fiber optics with high-speed internet access, this becomes a real-time technological welcomed change.鈥�
An Arizona-based broadband provider, Wecom Fiber, is the single largest BEAD awardee – securing $195 million in BEAD funds to connect homes and businesses across 17 project areas in eight Arizona counties.
鈥淭his historic broadband investment will change lives for the better across Arizona by ensuring every corner of our state has access to reliable, high-speed internet,鈥� said Wecom CEO Paul Fleming. 鈥淲e thank Governor Hobbs and the State Broadband Office, the Trump administration, our local and community partners, and every Arizona citizen who participated in the public planning process.鈥�
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