- Application window closed on April 29, 2022, for $266 million in allocations from the American Rescue Plan Act.
- Challenge window was May 6, 2022, through June 4, 2022; challenge notifications were issued June 24, 2022.
- Applicants were allowed to revise and resubmit responses to successful challenges through June 30, 2022.
- Communications Advisory Commission meetings:
- August 2, 2022 - Application information and preliminary award recommendations
- August 8, 2022 - Discussion and public comment
- August 22, 2022 - Data Aquisition Webinar
- November 1, 2022 - ABIRG Information Session
Information related to preliminary allocation recommendations for the Broadband Communications Advisory Commission's review is available online through the Awards tab on the ConnectMT website. Review of these recommendations is the subject of the Broadband Communications Advisory Commissions's August 8th and August 17th meetings. After the allocation process has completed, the ConnectMT team will begin scheduling debriefs with applicants. Applicants should continue to send questions via email to ConnectMTInfoRequests@ctnet.us. The ConnectMT team will post an updated FAQ to the ConnectMT website.
DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION
Broadband - ConnectMT and Communications Advisory Commission
The 2021 Legislature passed and Governor Gianforte signed SB297 creating the ConnectMT Act. The Department of Administration (DOA) is responsible for establishing and administering the broadband infrastructure deployment program. The Department will be responsible for receiving and reviewing responsive proposals and awarding contracts. Before awarding any contracts, contracts will be reviewed by the Communications Advisory Commission created by HB632 to oversee Montana's American Rescue Plan Act dollars. The Governor will then approve any proposal recommended for funding by the Department. The Communications Commission's meetings will be noticed on this website.
The DOA is currently building the state's broadband program. Working with the Commission and the Governor's Office, DOA will develop the open process for submission of proposals for funding required in SB297. Eligible providers may be awarded funding for projects in unserved, underserved or frontier areas. DOA will hire broadband deployment experts to staff the Broadband Task Force within the department.
SB 297 defines Frontier and Unserved areas, and HB632 defines Underserved areas:
"Frontier Area" means an area where there is no or extremely limited terrestrial broadband service.
"Unserved Area" means a project area where at least 10% of delivery points have no access to broadband service or have no access to services operating with a download speed of at least 25 megabits per second and upload speed of at least 10 megabits per second with low latency.
"Underserved Area" means an area where at least 10% of the delivery points have no access to broadband service offered with a download speed range of at least 100 megabits per second and an upload speed of at least 20 megabits per second or less with low latency.
Those interested in potentially submitting proposals are encouraged to stay up to date and follow the Commission meetings. For more information, please review both SB297 and HB632 and check this website often for updates on program development and Commission meetings.
Advisory Commission Members
- Senators Dan Salomon
- Jason Ellsworth
- Janet Ellis
- Representatives Mike Hopkins
- Ed Buttrey
- Katie Sullivan
- Director Misty Ann Giles
- Director Scott Osterman
- Director Scott Sales