BEAD Challenge Process
The IBO is pleased to announce that the Indiana BEAD Challenge Phase will be extended by two weeks from the previously announced end date of April 3rd, now moved to April 17th.
What is the Challenge Process?
The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program requires the Indiana Broadband Office (IBO) to create a “Challenge Process” through which a unit of local government, nonprofit organization, or broadband service provider may challenge a determination made by the IBO to whether a particular location or community anchor institution is unserved or underserved therefore eligible for BEAD funds.
An unserved location is defined as having access to service that is only 25/3 Mbps or lower.
An underserved location is defined as having access to service that is less than 100/20 Mbps, but higher than 25/3 Mbps.
Pre-Registration is open for the Indiana BEAD Challenge Process!
The IBO has opened pre-registration for the Challenge Process. Pre-registration provides permissible challengers time to become familiar with the Challenge Portal interface before the official kickoff on March 4th. Challengers should utilize this time to work through their portal and reach out with any questions.
The IBO encourages any interested party to register whether you intend to submit a challenge or not.
If you missed a BEAD Challenge Process webinar, watch the recordings here.
The Indiana Broadband Office hosted webinars to cover essential information on how to participate in the BEAD Challenge Process. These sessions covered essential information on how to participate in the BEAD Challenge Process, ensuring that you have a clear understanding of the steps involved, submission requirements, and the resources available to you.
Webinar Slide Decks Available
Each webinar’s content was tailored to address the relevant needs of the permissible challenger types. Download them by selecting the links below.
Community Organizations
Internet Service Providers
All Organizations
Multi-Dwelling Units
The IBO will be hosting open office hours this month.
These sessions are an open forum for permissible challengers and members of the public to ask the IBO questions about the work our office is doing, with a particular focus on the upcoming BEAD Challenge Process. All are welcome during any session to speak with our broadband experts! See you there!
Sessions will be held from 2 - 3pm ET.
- Thursday - April 4, 2024
(Calendar invite) - Tuesday - April 9, 2024
(Calendar invite) - Thursday - April 11, 2024
(Calendar invite)
IBO Challenge Process Resources
Availability Challenge Guide
A complete walk-through of submitting an availability challenge on the ConnectingIndiana Challenge Portal.
Availability Challenge CSV Template
A template of the CSV file required for an availability challenge.
Planned Service Challenge Guide
A complete walk-through of submitting an availability challenge on the ConnectingIndiana Challenge Portal.
Challenge Evidence Types and Examples
A complete walk-through of each type of challenge that can be submitted and examples of corresponding evidence types.
Speed Challenge Guide
A complete walk-through of submitting a speed challenge on the ConnectingIndiana Challenge Portal.
Check Your Address Flyer
A guide to understanding how your address is categorized pre-BEAD Challenge Process.
Indiana BEAD Challenge Process flyers
Pre Challenge Process Unserved Addresses
This file lists all unserved addresses in Indiana before the Challenge Process. Based on the IBO's current knowledge of these locations, they are eligible for BEAD funding. This file can be opened in Excel.
Pre Challenge Process Underserved Addresses
This file lists all unserved addresses in Indiana before the Challenge Process. Based on the IBO's current knowledge of these locations, they are eligible for BEAD funding. This file can be opened in Excel.
CostQuest License
Some permissible challengers may want to submit a large number of challenges. If you plan to do so, the IBO highly recommends obtaining a CostQuest license. A CostQuest license will enable the permissible challenger to download the full FCC National Broadband Map Fabric for Indiana. The NTIA has allocated funds for permissible challengers to obtain these licenses for free. The license tiers for BEAD entities are D and E, depending on the entity type and project objectives. A CostQuest license is not required to submit challenges, but it may be helpful for those who wish to submit bulk challenges.
There is an approval process to receive a license. As many other states are beginning their BEAD Challenge Processes simultaneously, the IBO anticipates this approval process to take multiple days. We recommend requesting a license as soon as possible if you intend to participate in a large capacity.
Where are we now?
Pre-registration is now open on https://connectingindiana.com/register/bead. The IBO encourages any interested party to register whether you intend to submit a challenge or not.
What is to come?
The IBO will continue to provide updates and information about the Challenge Process throughout February and March. At this time, permissible challengers should focus on CostQuest licensing and registering on https://connectingindiana.com/register/bead. Ahead of March 4, 2024, there will be continued open office hours to answer questions..
Get in Touch
If you have any questions about the upcoming Challenge Process or CostQuest, please reach out.