About KYRBA
The Kentucky Telephone Association was established in 1937 as a non-profit organization to promote and support the general interests and welfare of the telecommunications industry in the Commonwealth. This is still our goal.
The industry has undergone enormous changes and growth since the Kentucky Telephone Association was established. Advancements in technology, including the growth of computer applications and fiber cable, expanding service areas, increasingly complex regulatory requirements and competitive services has fueled many of these changes. Throughout this time, our association has served the industry by fostering communication and cooperation among its member companies to improve their services and products.
In 2011, we changed our name from the Kentucky Telephone Association to the Kentucky Telecom Association and adopted a new logo to recognize our members offer more than wireline telephone service and the many changes in our industry in the recent past. Now, in 2023, we have once again adopted a new name and logo to reflect our members focus on delivering world class fiber broadband to rural Kentuckians. The Kentucky Rural Broadband Association remains focused on expanding broadband access and broadband deployment to some of the most rural, high-cost areas of the Commonwealth. By growing broadband deployment and adoption, and closing the digital divide, we will grow opportunities for all Kentuckians.
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KYRBA/TNBA Fall Conference & Supplier Showcase Registration Available
Click here to register for the 30th Annual TNBA/KYRBA Fall Conference!
KY BEAD Program Moves Forward; Pre-Application Guidance Issued
As the summer months wear on and and the weather heat up, the Kentucky Office of Broadband Development has continued to move the federal Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program forward in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The Commonwealth of Kentucky's Volume II Initial Proposal to NTIA was approved last month after some back and forth with NTIA over the low-cost service option for broadband providers. Ultimately, the low-cost service option stated in the approved Volume II proposal mentions a "$30 low-cost target," but rural broadband providers will be able to submit subgrantee applications outlining broadband pricing not to exceed $65 for rural, low-density areas. Kentucky is now eligible to receive at least 20 percent of the nearly $1.1 billion it is scheduled to receive from NTIA as part of the BEAD program.
It is worth noting the federal BEAD program still contains approximately fifteen mandatory requirements for subgrantee applications so it will be interesting to see how many rural broadband providers elect to take part in the process. At the end of the day, KYRBA appreciates the work of the Kentucky Office of Broadband Development working to engage our members and encourage them to submit subgrantee applications for broadband serviceable locations in the Commonwealth.
Currently, the BEAD program is entering the pre-application process in the Commonwealth. Broadband providers will have to complete the mandatory pre-application process before submitting subgrantee applications later this year. The pre-application process is scheduled to begin on July 31st.
The Kentucky Office of Broadband Development must now complete its review of the challenges to broadband serviceable locations and broadband provider rebuttal submissions prior to the subgrantee application process. The Office of Broadband Development will be tasked with finalizing the number of broadband serviceable locations eligible for BEAD funding once all enforceable commitments and broadband challenges are reviewed and considered. This process is scheduled to take place over the next couple of months with final broadband serviceable locations being determined later this fall before the BEAD subgrantee application process begins for interested broadband providers.
KYRBA will continue to provide updates for our members as the BEAD subgrantee application process moves forward in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
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