$229 Million Vermont BEAD Program Preliminary Round

Preliminary BEAD Applications for Vermont

The Vermont Community Broadband Board (VCBB) has received preliminary Vermont BEAD applications from internet service providers (ISPs) covering nearly every eligible address in the state. These applications, under Vermont’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (VT-BEAD) Program, are the part of a national effort to expand high-speed internet.

ISPs must submit a preliminary application to be eligible for VT-BEAD funds. This application requires them to identify the areas they plan to serve and specify the type of broadband service they will deploy, such as fiber optic, cable, or fixed wireless.

Every location in Vermont that qualifies under VT-BEAD has received at least one application. Eligible locations are defined as those with internet speeds of 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload or less. The majority of these underserved and unserved locations are now set to receive improved service. Notably, 95% of them will get fiber-optic connections, ensuring high-speed, reliable internet.

Nine ISPs Competing for Funds

Nine ISPs have applied for funding, demonstrating strong interest in expanding broadband infrastructure. The VCBB has divided Vermont into 32 project areas covering 16,895 eligible locations. These areas were strategically designed to encourage fiber-optic expansion and promote healthy competition among providers.

As of February 2025, the specific names of the nine Internet Service Providers (ISPs) that have submitted preliminary applications to the Vermont Community Broadband Board (VCBB) under the VT-BEAD Program have not been publicly disclosed.

However, Vermont’s broadband expansion efforts involve several Communications Union Districts (CUDs), which are municipal entities formed by groups of towns to build communication infrastructure collaboratively. The nine CUDs in Vermont are:

• Chittenden County
• DVFiber
• ECFiber
• Lamoille FiberNet
• Maple Broadband
• NEKCV (doing business as CVFiber and NEK Broadband)
• Northwestern Communications Union District
• Otter Creek Communications Union District
• Southern Vermont Communications Union District

These CUDs have been instrumental in Vermont’s efforts to expand broadband access, particularly in underserved areas.

Full Proposals Begin March 6

ISPs can submit full proposals for VT-BEAD funding starting March 6, 2025. The VCBB will evaluate these proposals and distribute funds later this year. Once awarded, ISPs will have four years to complete their projects.