Washington's BEAD challenge portal opening delayed



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april 8, 2024

*DELAYED: Challenge portal opening?*

Washington's Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program (BEAD) Challenge Portal opening is delayed

The Washington State Broadband Office is delaying the opening of the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program challenge portal to ensure it operates correctly. We will send another notice with an opening date when a technical problem is resolved.

*Why the delay?*

Part of the registration process requires the challenge portal to send a confirmation email to someone registering to participate. Due to a technical problem with the system, some individuals had trouble receiving these messages.

We decided the best course of action is to delay the portal opening to ensure everyone can register and participate in the state challenge process. The portal had been scheduled to open today before the delay.

*How does this affect the 30-day challenge period?*

When the portal opens, the timeline for *the 30-day challenge period* will begin. We are committed to conducting a fair and transparent process, as detailed in the Initial Proposal Volume I [ [link removed] ].

Washington?s BEAD Challenge Process allows *eligible entities *to dispute the level of internet service reported on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) National Broadband Map.

*What can be challenged?*

You can challenge the FCC map information about the following:


* Availability
* Speed
* Latency
* Data Cap
* Business Service Only
* Is/is not part of an Enforceable Commitment
* Planned Service
* Location is/is not a Community Anchor Institution (CAI)

*Who is eligible to enter a challenge?*


* Local governments
* Non-profit organizations
* Tribal governments
* Internet service providers (ISPs)

All users, *including the general public*, may use the tool to view the status of broadband serviceable locations (BSLs) throughout the state. Additionally, the *general public can submit speed tests* *and availability information* through the challenge portal throughout the challenge process.

Next steps

* *For eligible challengers:
*Eligible challengers in this state challenge process (listed above) are internet service providers, non-profits, local governments and tribal governments.

IMPORTANT: If you are the responsible party participating in a challenge on behalf of an eligible challenger,* please **request to register* [ [link removed] ]* again if your login is not already active**.*


* *For the general public:
*Members of the general public can submit evidence challenges once the portal opens and are *not required to register*.

Members of the public may submit speed test challenges [ [link removed] ] or availability challenges [ [link removed] ].

Supporting information

Our Challenge Process webpage [ [link removed] ] includes all of the necessary challenge process information, including:


* BEAD Challenge Process Training Webinar Video [ [link removed] ]?
* Training webinar slide presentation (PDF) [ [link removed] ]

*Broadband Navigator Challenge Portal documents*


* Challenge Process Frequently Asked Questions (PDF) [ [link removed] ]
* Challenge Portal User Guide (PDF) [ [link removed] ]
* How to register for an account and use the map (PDF) [ [link removed] ]
* How to submit a challenge (PDF) [ [link removed] ]
* How to submit a Community Anchor Institution (CAI) challenge (PDF) [ [link removed] ]
* How to take a speed test (PDF) [ [link removed] ]
* How to report availability evidence (PDF) [ [link removed] ]

Upcoming training webinars

*BEAD Challenge Process Training Module 2: Rebuttal* This second in the series of challenge process webinars will review some of the challenge submissions, help you understand how the process is going, and then focus on the rebuttal phase. We will discuss how to dispute a challenge and examine any open rebuttals. There will also be time for Q&A.


* *TODAY*: Monday, April 8, 2-3:30 p.m. Webinar link (Zoom) [ [link removed] ]
* Wednesday, April 10, 2-3:30 p.m. Webinar link (Zoom) [ [link removed] ]

*Miss a training?*

View webinar descriptions and video links [ [link removed] ] (PDF)

?

*About the?Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program?(BEAD) [ [link removed] ]*

The BEAD program [ [link removed] ] is working to get all Americans online by funding partnerships between states or territories, tribal nations, communities, internet providers and other stakeholders to build infrastructure where needed and increase high-speed internet adoption. The federal program provides over $42 billion for infrastructure planning and implementation nationwide. Washington will receive more than $1.2 billion in funding.

Please continue to monitor Washington?s BEAD Challenge Process website [ [link removed] ]for the most up-to-date information on the BEAD challenge process. You can also subscribe to email updates on the same webpage.

*Questions?
*Please email any questions to [email protected]






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