Pennsylvanians Invited to Weigh In on $793M Broadband Proposal

Pennsylvania House Leader Jesse Topper announced Friday that the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) has provisionally approved nearly $793 million in broadband expansion projects aimed at connecting unserved and underserved communities across the Commonwealth.

The funding is part of the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program and will move forward pending federal approval. With this step, Pennsylvanians now have the opportunity to review the projects and provide input during a seven-day public comment period before the proposal is submitted to federal officials.

“This investment is a major step toward closing the digital divide for Pennsylvania families, farmers, students, and businesses,” Topper said. “Reliable high-speed internet is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity for education, healthcare, and economic opportunity. We want the public to have a voice as these projects move toward final approval.”

According to the PBDA, the provisionally selected projects are designed to reach every eligible location in the state, at a cost of $793,494,747—roughly $345 million less than originally estimated. The projects will employ a mix of technologies: 64% of locations will be served with fiber, 4% with hybrid-fiber coaxial, 14% with fixed wireless, and 18% with low-Earth orbit satellite coverage.

The public can review the draft proposal on the Department of Community and Economic Development’s website and submit comments through an online form provided by the PBDA. Comments must be submitted no later than 4:59 p.m. on Friday, August 29, 2025. Email submissions will not be accepted.

The PBDA has emphasized transparency and fairness throughout the project selection process, conducting multiple rounds of applications, reviews, and scoring to ensure cost efficiency and broad coverage. The Authority also worked closely with federal guidelines, local governments, and broadband providers to prioritize projects capable of delivering reliable and scalable service in Pennsylvania’s diverse geography.

The final proposal includes commitments to oversight, accountability, and consumer protections. Subgrantees will be required to meet strict buildout deadlines, comply with labor laws, offer low-cost service options, and maintain network reliability for at least 10 years. Monitoring and risk assessment procedures will be in place to ensure taxpayer dollars are used effectively, with provisions to claw back funds if grantees fail to meet obligations.

“This is about strengthening communities, creating jobs, and ensuring every Pennsylvanian—whether in a rural farming community or a small town—has access to the same digital tools as those in our urban centers,” Topper said. “I encourage citizens to review the proposal and share their input so we can move forward with the best possible plan for our Commonwealth.”