WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today celebrated the final approval of a landmark Mississippi broadband initiative. On February 9th, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) approved the state’s plan to deploy funds from the Broadband, Equity, Access, and Development (BEAD) program.

The final BEAD proposal for Mississippi allocates a total of $1,203,561,563. Of that amount, $508 million will service 93,283 residences. The BEAD funding was established in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which Senator Wicker helped negotiate as a senior member of the Senate Commerce Committee. An additional $321 million of funding will be privately contributed to ensure the buildout is complete. The Office of Broadband Expansion and Accessibility of Mississippi (BEAM) will oversee the implementation of the funding.

“This important step will bring high-speed internet to more than 93,000 residences in Mississippi. I want to thank Secretary Lutnick and NTIA Administrator Roth for their partnership. Together, we removed burdensome red tape imposed by the Biden administration. That bureaucracy halted progress, but we are finally bringing the BEAD program to rural communities – improving telehealth services, benefitting job creators, and boosting economic growth. Let’s get to work!” said Senator Wicker.

“Congratulations to Mississippi on the approval of its BEAD Final Proposal,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communication and Information and NTIA Administrator Arielle Roth. “This plan reflects a strong commitment to cost discipline, meeting the state’s unique needs, and delivering measurable results. We’re excited to see shovels in the ground and satellites in the sky as Mississippi accelerates toward universal connectivity for its citizens.”

Twelve internet providers will participate in Mississippi’s BEAD program. A full list of awards and an address level map of BEAD funded locations are available at www.broadbandms.com. BEAM can be reached at (601) 359-5029 or info@beam.ms.gov. Click here to read more about the Mississippi’s BEAD proposal.