Kansas Secures $166.6 Million Federal Approval for Statewide Broadband Expansion
State to connect 26,673 households and businesses with high-speed internet through federal BEAD program.
TOPEKA, Kan. — Governor Laura Kelly announced that federal officials have approved Kansas' $166.6 million broadband expansion plan, marking a major step toward connecting thousands of unserved households and businesses across the state with high-speed internet. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration approved the Kansas Office of Broadband Development's final proposal under the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program, which will serve 26,673 eligible locations statewide.
The approved plan features 14 selected internet service providers who submitted competitive bids covering 100% of eligible locations, with private companies contributing an additional $61.3 million to the project. Kansas achieved a 63% reduction in required federal funding through competitive bidding, bringing the average cost per location to $6,791. The deployment will use fiber optic cables for 30% of locations, fixed wireless technology for 67%, and satellite service for 3%, with construction expected to begin in the second half of 2026 following contract finalization and regulatory oversight.
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