BEAD Map Challenge Process

Illinois was awarded $1.04 billion in federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program funds by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to continue our efforts to connect all homes and businesses to modern high-speed internet.

The BEAD Program rules require states to prioritize funds in this order: 

1. Connect unserved locations (available service is 25/3 megabits per second or less)

2. Connect underserved locations (available service is at least 25/3 mbps but less than 100/20 mbps)

3. Connect Community Anchor Institutions to gigabit symmetrical service (1,000/1,000 mbp

BEAD One-Pager

Let’s get the map right!

What is the challenge process?  

The challenge process gives Illinoisians an opportunity to correct inaccuracies in the state’s broadband map so it reflects the most up-to-date broadband access across the state. The updated map will determine which locations are eligible for funding through the BEAD program. 

Who is eligible to submit a challenge? 

NTIA rules allow units of local government, non-profit organizations, and internet service providers to submit challenges. Individuals in Illinois can participate by visiting BEADchallenge.org and following the instructions for taking internet speed tests and submitting the results, or by coordinating with registered local governments or non-profits to submit a challenge. 

When is the challenge process happening? 

Illinois will launch its challenge process on February 20, and the Challenge Phase, including the Challenge Portal, will open on February 27 and be available for 21 days.

Help us make sure BEAD dollars go where they are needed most! 

• Pre-Register: Pre-registration is required to participate in the Rebuttal Phase. Click here to pre-register.
• Visit the Challenge Dashboard to:
  • Review Challenge Phase submissions
  • Submit rebuttals between April 16 – May 6, 2024
    • Note: Rebuttals must be submitted by non-profits, units of local government, and internet service providers who pre-register.        

1.  Community Outreach Toolkit

Download social media graphics and one-pagers with instructions on how community members can participate in improving the broadband map.

2.  How-to Webinar Series

Click here for the How-To Webinar Series

FAQs from past webinar

3.  Related Planning Documents

• Illinois BEAD Initial Proposal, Volume 1, which provides a description of Illinois’ proposed approach to the Challenge Process (Approved by NTIA)

• Illinois Five-Year Action Plan

Illinois’ BEAD Mapping Challenge Process has started, and non-profits, units of local government, and internet service providers submitted challenges from February 27 – March 18, 2024 using the BEAD Challenge Portal.   Residents also participated by completing 3 speed tests over 3 days at BEADchallenge.org. Between April 16 – May 6, non-profits, units of local government, and internet service providers can participate in the Rebuttal Phase. 

To participate in the Challenge Phase: 

• Review the Challenge Process User Guide
• Watch How-To Video
• Visit the BEAD Challenge Map
• Submit challenges in the BEAD Challenge Portal
  • Pre-registration is required to access the BEAD Challenge Portal. Non-profits, local governments, and ISPs can pre-register at this link. Pre-registered and verified challengers will receive an email prompting them to create an account on February 27 and on a rolling basis. 
• Individuals can share challenges with a pre-registered organization on this list for submission (email broadband@illinois.gov with any questions or issues)

Challenge Process User Guide

BEAD Challenge Map

Illinoisans can now explore the BEAD Challenge Map to check the broadband availability of locations in your community. Each location is marked as eligible or ineligible for infrastructure funds based on available speeds.

• View the broadband availability map at: bead.connectednation.org/illinois

Broadband Availability Classifications (posted on February 2, 2024)

View a list of locations based on their classification as unserved, underserved, and served, plus a list of all Community Anchor Institutions and their eligibility status:

• Unserved Location IDs (eligible for BEAD)
• Underserved Location IDs (eligible for BEAD)
• Served Location IDs
• List of Community Anchor Institutions (CAIs)

Bulk Challenge Templates

To submit challenges in bulk, please download the csv template label for the respective Challenge Type:

• Availability
• Speed
• Latency
• Data Cap
• Is a CAI
• Is not a CAI
• Is an Enforceable Commitment
• Is not an Enforceable Commitment
• Planned (or existing) Service
• Technology, Business service only (“All Others”)

Download the zip of all bulk challenge csv templates.

Bulk Challenge Reference Documents

Refer to the following resources to help fill in csv templates and collect proper evidence for challenges:

• Description of fields, including:
  • Challenge Type Codes
  • Availability Category Codes
  • Technology Codes
• FCC Provider IDs
• Description of evidence requirements

Important Notes:

Every challenge requires a Location ID or CAI ID:

• Find Location IDs for Broadband Serviceable Locations (BSLs) (i.e., households, businesses) using the BEAD Challenge Map (click on a location to view Location ID) or by accessing the FCC Data Fabric version 3.2 through CostQuest (learn more or email ifasupport@costquest.com)
• Find CAI IDs for Community Anchor Institutions (i.e., libraries, schools, hospitals) using the BEAD Challenge Map (click on a location to view CAI ID) or in the List of Community Anchor Institutions (CAIs) above