Broadband BEAD Challenge

EIU Southeast Illinois READY Team:

EIU has been awarded funding to provide support for our rural communities in the Southeast Region and the state's effort and help improve access to the Internet. The Federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program has targeted $1.04 billion to Illinois for connecting all homes and businesses to modern high-speed internet. The program is focused on connecting unserved locations or underserved locations.

EIU is working to share information about the new program and assisting communities in accessing the funds.

The first step is to demonstrate that a community has the need for better Internet access. Individual locations need to take a speed test to ensure that the Illinois Broadband Map is accurate. The map identifies which locations are eligible for funding, so needs to be accurate. BEAD Grant resources will become available this spring. EIU will continue to update our region.

Right now, we need to know your speed!

Go to the Speed Test (http://beadchallenge.org)