June 2023

Welcome to the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) newsletter! Read on for the latest updates and news from the PBDA on grant opportunities, deadlines, and ways to support broadband efforts across the Commonwealth.

The BEAD Program application window is now open and will accept applications through Tuesday, January 21, 2025. The program aims to help residents and businesses gain access to affordable high-speed internet through investments in broadband planning, deployment, mapping, equity, and adoption activities. BEAD Program Templates are now available on the website. Organizations may also reference the recently updated program FAQs, which are regularly updated.  

Have questions about BEAD? Join the final BEAD Program Office Hour session to get your questions answered.

The PBDA Board of Directors approved 49 projects in 26 counties under the Multi-Purpose Community Facilities Program. The approved projects will improve existing public-facing facilities or will acquire/construct new public-facing facilities to ensure those communities can access free, reliable, high-speed internet.

Approved projects include: 

Reference the full list of recipients.

PBDA staff took a tour of AT&T's Catawissa Earth station. This facility houses multiple satellite antenna, including three-150 foot dishes and is operated 24 hours a day. Communications flow through this facility to geosynchronous and low-earth-orbit satellites that have worldwide reach, which serves a number of AT&T’s satellite customers. 

The demonstration consisted of viewing Eutelsat OneWeb outdoor terminal solutions created to connect to Low-Earth Orbit/Non-Geosynchronous Broadband Satellites. During the meeting, two members of AT&T’s team joined virtually, while connecting via satellite from Washington state.

New updates to the Pennsylvania Broadband Map make it easier to plan projects for BEAD submissions. Here’s how:

*A BSA is a Census Block Group or an aggregation of multiple Census Block Groups, which will be applied for by applicants in the BEAD program. Eligible applicants are encouraged to apply for several BSAs that are contiguous to each other when applying for the BEAD program.

We’ve made improvements to the BBRC program with a more streamlined application process and an extended registration deadline. Review the updated guidelines, fact sheet, and application process on the BBRC landing page.

The Digital Equity Capacity grant application is still under review and the PBDA anticipates receiving final approval through the NTIA in November. 

Learn more about the Digital Equity Act. 

The PBDA Digital Connectivity Technology Program aims to bridge the digital divide across Pennsylvania by providing essential digital devices to underserved communities. The program received 135 applications, requesting a total of 10,247 devices.  

On November 21, 2024, the PBDA board approved 117 awards across 42 counties for a total of 9,122 devices. The goal remains to enhance digital access and equity, ensuring all Pennsylvanians can participate in the digital economy and connect to critical resources. PBDA intends to run a second grant round to allocate the remaining devices in the spring of 2025.

All PBDA Board meetings and Sub-Committee meetings are open to the public and always allow for public comment.

If you have questions about closing the digital divide in Pennsylvania, email the
PA Broadband Development Authority or connect with us by phone
at 1.866.466.3972.

Department of Community & Economic Development | dced.pa.gov