Over 68,000 unserved and underserved areas in Montana to receive broadband coverage

With today’s approval, Montana was awarded over $300 million to fund grants for 19 service providers and 32 projects to serve over 68,000 unserved and underserved Broadband Serviceable Locations. The locations are in addition to over 180 community anchor institutions such as health service offices, high schools, police departments, fire departments, and libraries.

ConnectMT, Montana’s broadband office, released the state’s Draft Final Proposal on August 22. Montana was allocated over $628 million in BEAD funds. According to its final proposal, ConnectMT will only be using about half of that––$308 million––to connect un- and underserved locations. ConnectMT’s final proposal lists almost 72,000 locations as eligible for BEAD funding, including 234 CAIs.

Montana currently has the highest percentage of LEO funding allocations. ConnectMT aims to connect 65% of households using LEO satellite service, 20.2% with fiber, and 14.8% with fixed wireless.