The state's plan to use roughly $305 million in federal funds to extend internet service to more than 79,000 underserved Arkansans cleared its final federal hurdle, Arkansas State Broadband Director Glen Howie said Monday.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology approved the state's budget to use $305 million from the Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment program, also known as BEAD, which now sends the plan to the state Legislature for final approval.

With the approval, work is slated to start in 2026, according to Howie. The state's final proposal for the program was approved by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration last month.

Howie said in a LinkedIn post that the approval "reflects the strength of Arkansas' disciplined, market-driven approach.

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