Indiana has awarded more than $400 million in federal broadband contracts to 24 internet providers, putting high-speed service on track for over 122,000 homes and businesses across the state. Governor Mike Braun announced the awards Wednesday.

The funding comes through the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, the $42.45 billion infrastructure initiative administered by the Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration. Indiana is now among the states converting BEAD allocations into signed deployment contracts, moving the program from planning stages into construction-ready commitments.

The 24 winning providers will carry the buildout to unserved and underserved locations statewide. The state has not yet broken down individual award amounts by provider, but the total contract value exceeds $400 million across the portfolio, according to the governor's announcement.

For Indiana, the awards mark the largest single step in its BEAD execution to date. The program requires states to prioritize locations lacking any broadband service before directing funds to underserved areas, and Indiana's award list reflects that sequencing.

Deployment timelines will depend on each provider's construction schedule. Providers receiving BEAD funds must complete their builds within the performance periods set in their contracts, and coverage obligations are tied to the specific locations identified in the state's approved plan.

With contracts now signed, attention shifts to execution: connecting the more than 122,000 locations as providers begin drawing on federal funds and breaking ground across Indiana.