Specifications include, but are not limited to: “Broadband Infrastructure Projects” are eligible for funding under ARPA Capital if the infrastructure is designed to deliver, upon project completion, service that reliably meets or exceeds symmetrical download and upload speeds of 100 Mbps. If it would be impracticable, because of geography, topography or excessive cost, the Project must be designed so that it reliably meets or exceeds 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload speeds and be scalable to a minimum of 100 Mbps symmetrical. Applicants are to focus on projects that achieve last-mile connections. "Last mile infrastructure" means broadband infrastructure that serves as the final connection from a broadband service provider's network to the end-user’s onpremises telecommunications equipment. Middle-mile projects are eligible, and are encouraged to have commitments in place to support new and/or improved last-mile service. Applicants are also encouraged to prioritize investments in fiber-optic infrastructure where feasible, as such advanced technology better supports future needs. ARPA Capital awards are to assist in the acquisition, installation and construction of last mile infrastructure that supports broadband services, and to assist in strategic planning for deploying broadband service in unserved areas.
