5.b LIne Extension ProgramBroadband Line Extension Connection Program
In the 2022 Legislative Session, the Office of Broadband Development (OBD) was directed to create a
new program, the Broadband Line Extension Connection Program. The purpose of the program is to
award grants for the extension of existing broadband infrastructure to unserved locations. An unserved
location is a location that does not have a wired broadband service of at least 25Mbps download and 3
Mbps upload.
How the program will work
People can report to OBD that a wired broadband service is unavailable at their residence or business by
entering information on the online application below or by calling 651-259-7610 and requesting a paper
application or by talking to someone at OBD who will complete the application on their behalf.
What happens after an application is submitted
Every six months, OBD will send the list of addresses to each broadband provider offering service in
Minnesota. Providers then have ten days to notify OBD that they can provide service at any of the
addresses on the list. OBD will then contact those people to let them know the name of the broadband
provider that can offer them service and any discounted pricing plans available.
For those addresses that are not served by a provider or in an area that will be built with an already
awarded Border-to-Border Broadband grant project, OBD will hold a 60-day reverse auction where
broadband service providers can bid to extend service to one or more of the addresses on the list. In
their bid, providers will identify the grant amount requested to extend the broadband service. Within 60
days of the auction closing, OBD will select the bids that request the least amount of financial support
from the state and that are a cost-effective expenditure of state resources. OBD will then enter into line
extension agreements with each winning bidder. Winning bidders will have one year from the date the
contract is signed to complete the broadband line extension. The winning bidder must build broadband
service that offers speeds of at least 100Mbps download and 100Mbps upload.
Broadband Grant Program / Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
(mn.gov)