Update: Missouri Broadband Availability Challenge Process Deadline Extended

broad-band-map

Deadline Extended: Participate in the Missouri Broadband Availability Challenge!

April 22nd, 2024

New Timeline:

  • April 25 – May 8: Challenge submission
  • May 9 – June 7: Rebuttal submission
  • June 8 – July 7: Broadband office adjudication

The Missouri Broadband Availability Challenge Process, initiated by the Department of Economic Development’s Office of Broadband Development (OBD), stands as a landmark initiative in advancing internet accessibility statewide. Backed by a $1.7 billion allocation from the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program, Governor Mike Parson underscores the unprecedented opportunity to bolster broadband infrastructure, with the aim of connecting more Missourians than ever before. This call to action beckons public engagement, urging stakeholders to contest the accuracy of the Missouri Broadband Availability Map. The objective? To ensure optimal resource allocation and foster widespread access to quality, high-speed internet. Emphasizing the critical role of public feedback in refining the map's precision, OBD Director BJ Tanksley implores providers and community entities to register via the challenge portal before the extended deadline of April 30.

The Office of Broadband Development leads the charge in narrowing the digital divide across Missouri through collaborative efforts with providers, communities, and stakeholders. As part of its Connecting All Missourians initiative, OBD is committed to expediting broadband deployment and dismantling barriers to digital inclusion. Leveraging resources from programs such as the Digital Equity Act (DEA) and the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, OBD strives to facilitate widespread internet access—a prerequisite for full participation in the digital economy. Interested parties can explore the Missouri Broadband Availability Map and comprehensive details regarding the challenge process via dedicated online channels provided by OBD. This marks a pivotal juncture in propelling broadband expansion endeavors statewide.

Access the challenge and broadband map  here.