This program makes funding available to cover some construction costs of projects in unserved and underserved areas. Private companies were not allowed to be the sole recipients of funding in the Washington program. Instead, applications had to come from a publicly owned or nonprofit organization such as a public utility district, cooperative or tribe or from partnerships including at least one such entity. Funding awards were generally made to the public or nonprofit entities, with commercial service providers designated as “committed service ISPs.”

The committed ISP will provide internet service to the project area and operate the network, but that does not mean they will necessarily own the infrastructure. The relationship between the applicant and the ISP can take many forms, such as sub-recipients of funding or contractors.