Securing Federal Funding for Broadband Expansion with Ecopia Building Footprint Data

According to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), one in five US households lack access to the internet. In our increasingly digital world, access to affordable, high-speed internet not only enhances daily life but also empowers individuals by bridging gaps in knowledge, education, and employment opportunities. Recognizing the critical need for online access, the federal government established the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program. The program, which includes $42 billion in federal grants for high-speed internet access, aims to get Americans online and connected by funding infrastructure improvements across the country. 

This blog explores how Ecopia AI’s (Ecopia’s) AI-powered geospatial data supported successful BEAD funding applications aimed at enhancing internet access in underserved communities in states such as Arizona, Alaska, and Michigan.

Securing funding with precise geospatial data

The BEAD program is focused on improving internet access in underserved areas, particularly in locations with no internet service or very slow speeds. The program prioritizes funding for underserved community access to broadband by identifying service levels at individual locations. States applying for BEAD funding from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) had the chance to challenge the FCC’s database of Broadband Serviceable Locations (BSLs) as part of the application process. This enabled states to identify addresses that were missing from the FCC map, providing a clearer understanding of need, and ensuring these locations were considered in funding decision-making. To support this effort and strengthen BEAD funding applications, Ecopia partnered with several states across the US, offering comprehensive, accurate, and up-to-date geospatial data.

Challenges in mapping broadband serviceable locations

Traditionally, states have faced challenges in accurately mapping building footprints necessary for determining BSLs. Manual digitization, while thorough, is notoriously time-consuming and costly, especially when conducted on a large statewide scale. By the time this process is complete, the data can already be outdated, unable to keep up with our rapidly changing world.

Alternatively, some states turn to open-source datasets for a quicker solution. However, these datasets often fall short in completeness and consistency, only providing address points and not the high-precision building footprints required to accurately determine BSLs. Accuracy can also be an issue as these datasets may rely on parcel- or street-level geocoding methods that are inadequate for detailed broadband network planning. 

Revolutionizing accuracy with Ecopia’s Building-Based Geocoding

Fortunately, advancements in technology are making it easier than ever before for states to get the comprehensive, accurate, and up-to-date building footprints necessary for determining BSLs. Ecopia’s Building-Based Geocoding offers the first and only complete map of US buildings, paired with best-in-class address data. Created using AI-powered systems from the most up-to-date geospatial imagery, Ecopia’s Building-Based Geocoding provides over 176 million high-precision building footprints and rooftop-level geocodes for more than 270 million primary and secondary US address points and is regularly updated to reflect changes in the world brought on by new construction, building modifications, and demolitions. 

The next section of this blog will explore how various states across the country used Ecopia’s AI-powered geospatial data to help support BEAD funding applications.  

Expanding rural broadband access in Arizona with Ecopia data

Arizona ranks as the 7th largest state with an expansive area of over 113,000 square miles. It is home to a diverse population of more than 7 million Americans, residing in a mix of urban, rural, and tribal communities. Creating and maintaining a reliable database of BSLs in Arizona is notably challenging, given the state's wide array of communities each with unique addressing systems.

In an effort to promote more equitable broadband access, the Arizona Commerce Authority State Broadband Office and engineering/architecture/construction firm Dewberry contracted with Ecopia to bolster the state’s BEAD funding application. Ecopia’s Building-Based Geocoding solution provided a comprehensive, accurate, and up-to-date map of all structures throughout the state of Arizona. This data served as a source of truth for identifying BSLs to submit to the FCC, which proved to be crucial for securing federal funding under the BEAD program. Ultimately, this data enabled Arizona to access over $993 million in BEAD funding to help expand access to affordable, reliable high-speed internet service. As Hillary Palmer, Geospatial & Technology Manager at Dewberry explained "The team worked with Ecopia’s data to secure BEAD funding for broadband expansion." Commenting on the impact, Sandip Bhowmick, VP of Infrastructure and State Broadband Director at the Arizona Commerce Authority added “Funding from the BEAD program will significantly enhance broadband access, foster economic development, and help bridge the digital divide across Arizona."

Mapping every building in Alaska to increase broadband equity 

More than 2,000 miles away, Alaska was also looking to create equitable access to the internet at broadband speeds. At the time, less than 5% of buildings in the state were mapped and there was no statewide database of addresses. Without either of these datasets, Alaska was unable to depict its broadband serviceable locations and could not participate in the FCC’s challenge process, meaning dozens of communities and countless homes would’ve remained unfunded, worsening the digital divide among some of America’s most vulnerable populations.  

Traditionally, mapping Alaska’s buildings has been challenging due to its vast, remote, and rugged terrain, sparse population density, and extreme weather conditions. However, using a satellite imagery mosaic, Ecopia’s AI-based mapping systems were able to quickly and accurately extract every building across the entire state of Alaska. This initiative supported a collaborative effort involving the State of Alaska, the Rasmuson Foundation, and Dewberry to make sure a comprehensive map of Alaska’s BSL’s was used to support data-driven funding decisions. By leveraging Ecopia’s building footprint data, Dewberry assisted the Alaska Broadband Office in mapping and analyzing BSLs at specific locations statewide. This effort was pivotal for their FCC application aimed at expanding broadband services across underserved communities statewide.

As a result of these efforts, Alaska successfully secured over $1.01 billion in BEAD funding, to provide broader broadband access for Alaskans and make available new opportunities through enhanced connectivity. Hillary Palmer, Geospatial & Technology Manager at Dewberry, worked with the Ecopia data in helping to secure federal funding for network expansion across Alaska. “The building footprint data that Ecopia provided was important in helping us identify BSLs and ultimately secure federal funding for network expansion in Alaska,” Palmer said.

Thomas Lochner, Director of the Alaska Broadband Office for the State of Alaska, added, “The efforts by Ecopia, Dewberry, and the Rasmuson Foundation were instrumental in identifying additional Broadband Serviceable Locations. The BEAD funding will be essential for significantly enhancing broadband access across Alaska’s unserved locations, including the additional BSLs that were identified.”

The applications of the data that Ecopia provided extends beyond broadband planning. As Leslie Jones, Geospatial Information Officer at the Alaska Geospatial Office, explained "The value of these data go far past broadband planning alone. The Alaska Geospatial Office is working to connect communities and programs to these data and have found other critical use cases such as wildfire hazard and risk assessment, land use planning and analysis, population estimation, and more". 

Palmer also noted, “Alaska is one of only two states that has not begun transitioning to Next Generation 9-1-1. The team plans to use the Ecopia building footprints to identify gaps in physical address information and so that the state can continue to advocate for statewide address data development funding.”  

Enhancing broadband mapping in Michigan with AI-powered geospatial data

In Michigan, Ecopia partnered with the AppGeo Division of the Sanborn Map Company to support the Michigan High-Speed Internet Office (MIHI) to provide building footprint data and structure-coded addresses for use in rural broadband expansion. 

The Sanborn Map Company used Ecopia’s data to confirm the potential locations of Broadband Serviceable Locations throughout Michigan to help challenge the FCC’s National Broadband Map. This analysis helped maximize federal funding received for broadband expansion efforts.

The comprehensive, accurate, and up-to-date data Ecopia provided was also used to power Michigan’s Realizing Opportunity with Broadband Infrastructure Networks (ROBIN) grant program that provides funding for broadband infrastructure and service expansion to underserved areas. Ecopia’s Building-Based Geocoding provided every primary and secondary address in Michigan, as well as their associated building footprints for an area of over 96,000 square miles.

As Brian Coolidge, Sr. Project Manager at the AppGeo Division of the Sanborn Map Company explained “Ecopia’s Building-Based Geocoding provided a source of truth for broadband serviceable locations throughout Michigan which was instrumental in helping the State access over $1.5 billion from the BEAD program. This funding will help optimize statewide broadband expansion and connect individuals and communities in unserved and underserved areas.” 

Eric Frederick, Chief Connectivity Officer at the Michigan High-Speed Internet Office, added, “The partnership between Ecopia and the AppGeo Division of the Sanborn Map Company was instrumental in advancing our broadband expansion initiatives. With the support of BEAD funding, we are enthusiastic about significantly enhancing broadband infrastructure and services, ensuring more residents across Michigan gain access to reliable internet connectivity.”

Digital inclusion: a path to equity and prosperity

In addition to collaborating with Dewberry, and the AppGeo Division of the Sanborn Map Company, Ecopia partnered with Connected Nation to help support BEAD funding applications in additional states. These partnerships have helped identify millions of underserved populations and secured funding to increase broadband equity throughout the US.

Closing the digital divide

In today's digital age, being online is crucial for connectivity, education, and employment. As online learning becomes increasingly prevalent, internet access is essential for accessing educational opportunities. Additionally, online connectivity is vital for acquiring the skills necessary to succeed in today’s competitive job market. BEAD funding aims to address disparities in broadband access across states, ensuring more people have reliable, affordable high-speed internet. By expanding or upgrading broadband networks, states can ensure that every resident, regardless of their location or income, can access the digital resources essential for thriving in today's interconnected world.

Creating economic opportunities through connectivity

Securing BEAD funding not only helps get people online and connected, thereby providing economic opportunities at the individual level, but it also has broader economic benefits for the state as a whole. By improving internet access in underserved areas, more residents gain access to online education and job opportunities, stimulating local economies. The influx of grant funding into the state's economy from BEAD programs can also support infrastructure development, creating jobs in construction, technology deployment, and maintenance, which further bolsters economic stability and resilience. 

Empowering states with enhanced geospatial insights

AI has revolutionized the accessibility of high-precision geospatial data, equipping states with the detailed insights needed for effective broadband network planning. Ecopia’s comprehensive, accurate, and up-to-date data has played a transformative role in strengthing applications to help maximize the funding that states received for broadband expansion efforts. 

Ecopia regularly works with government organizations to align federal funding opportunities with geospatial data creation initiatives. For more information on applying for funding and leveraging Ecopia’s high-precision geospatial data for informed decision-making, please contact our team.