Why It Matters
New Jersey stands to receive approximately $264 million in federal broadband funding, but not a single dollar has yet reached an active internet connection in the state. The delay is part of a nationwide stall in the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program, which has drawn rare bipartisan criticism of the Trump administration’s Commerce Department. In a state where roughly a quarter of households in Newark, Camden, and Trenton have no internet access, the holdup carries real consequences for low-income and minority communities.
What Happened
Congress allocated $42.45 billion for the BEAD program through a 2021 law, with the stated goal of extending reliable high-speed internet to underserved areas across the country. New Jersey was assigned a $264 million share. Before the Biden administration left office, every state had submitted spending plans to the federal government. The program, however, has been largely frozen since then.
In March 2025, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announced the program was under what he called “a rigorous review.” That June, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration — the Commerce Department agency overseeing the program — directed states to resubmit their proposals. The first funded connections under BEAD anywhere in the country were completed this month, in Nebraska and Louisiana. New Jersey has yet to see any.
In December, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities announced federal approval of roughly $62 million for the state, covering 11,479 locations. As of late May, none of those connections have been installed.
By the Numbers
- $42.45 billion — Total federal BEAD program allocation, established in 2021
- $264 million — New Jersey’s share of BEAD funding
- $62 million — Portion federally approved for New Jersey as of December
- 11,479 — Locations approved for broadband connections in New Jersey
- 25% — Share of households in Newark, Camden, and Trenton with no internet access
- 14% vs. 9% — Gap in computer and internet access between Black and white households in New Jersey, according to Rutgers University’s New Jersey State Policy Lab
Bipartisan Frustration on Capitol Hill
The delay has generated frustration on both sides of the aisle. At a February congressional hearing, Republican Sen. Jerry Moran of Kansas told Lutnick directly that “not a single BEAD-funded project has been completed, much less initiated.” Lutnick responded at a subsequent appropriations hearing that his department was “narrowing the gap” and would ensure full broadband coverage.
Rep. Frank Pallone, a New Jersey Democrat who serves as the ranking member on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, said the state has already identified projects, chosen providers, and lined up communities ready to proceed. “What we’re seeing is needless delays by the Trump administration at a time when entire communities still lack dependable internet access,” Pallone said in a public statement. He also warned that the administration’s handling of the program “could potentially lead to higher prices for some consumers.”
Every member of New Jersey’s congressional delegation — Republican and Democrat — voted for the original law funding the BEAD program.
Zoom Out
The BEAD rollout difficulties reflect a broader tension in federal infrastructure spending, where funds authorized under the previous administration face reconfiguration under new leadership. States with large rural populations have been particularly vocal about delays, since broadband connectivity is tied directly to agricultural productivity, telemedicine, and remote education.
Separately, Congress allowed a pandemic-era FCC program to expire in 2024 — one that had connected more than 330,000 low-income New Jersey households and 23 million nationwide to affordable internet service. The Republican-controlled Senate also voted 50–38 to rescind a related FCC initiative that provided discounted Wi-Fi hotspots to schools and libraries. New Jersey’s senators, Cory Booker and Andy Kim, voted against that measure. The convergence of these rollbacks has raised concerns about a widening digital equity gap in the state, particularly in urban communities already facing economic stress.
What’s Next
According to a spokesman for Gov. Mikie Sherrill, the state has identified target counties spanning much of New Jersey — from Atlantic and Bergen in the north and east, to Cumberland, Salem, and Cape May in the south — where BEAD funds would be deployed once released. The Board of Public Utilities has the approved locations on file and is positioned to move quickly once the federal government releases the funding. Congressional oversight pressure is expected to continue, with Pallone’s committee retaining jurisdiction over the Commerce Department and broadband policy.