MIHI BEAD Challenge

Challenge Process Overview

During the Challenge Process residents, non-profits and local and Tribal governments help MIHI to identify areas needing broadband service by submitting challenges (non-profits and governments) or supporting data gathering (residents). Community Anchor Institutions (CAIs) like schools, libraries and healthcare facilities can also engage in the process by providing evidence of broadband needs.

Internet Service Providers (ISPs) participate by challenging or defending challenges submitted by government agencies and non-profit organizations. All submitted challenges will be reviewed as they are received, and ISPs and CAIs will be notified of any challenges directed against them. ISPs and CAIs will have 30 days after receiving this notice to submit a rebuttal. MIHI’s Challenge Process will take place over 120 days.

• Challenge Process Begins - 3/25/2024
• Challenge Submission Phase Ends - 4/23/2024
• Rebuttal Period – Rebutters will have 30 days from notification of a challenge to submit a rebuttal
• Final Determination Phase ends and State Challenge Process is over - No later than 7/22/2024

If you are a representative of a non-profit organization in Michigan, you can participate in the MIHI Challenge Process by:

• Submitting service challenges through the MIHI Portal.

MIHI encourages non-profits to coordinate with your local government agency for the individuals and communities you serve prior to preparing and submitting challenges. MIHI recommends that nonprofit organizations focus on “consequential” challenges during the State Challenge Process – challenges that ensure all locations that are unserved or underserved are identified correctly, and in places where they are appropriate, focusing on area and multi-dwelling-unit challenges. There is a statewide nonprofit organization, Merit Network, that can provide advice about preparing and submitting challenges.

Review Our Recent Webinar

To learn more about the MIHI Challenge Process and your role, view the webinar recording.

View the presentation slides.

Challenge Process Resources

Challenge Process Flyer
Area and MDU Challenge Flyer

Challenge Process Outcomes

MIHI will review the submitted evidence for both challenges and rebuttals. There are two outcomes from the evidence review. The challenger will be notified of each outcome, so the correct actions can be taken.

• Challenge/ Rebuttal is considered Valid - The evidence submitted is valid based on the allowable evidence guidance and supports the challenge or rebuttal.
• Challenge/Rebuttal is Rejected - The evidence submitted is not valid based on the allowable evidence guidance or is not legible. Rejected challenges or rebuttals can be resubmitted within the Challenge Submission period.

MIHI will use the information provided by the Challenger and Rebutter to make a final decision on the resolution of the challenge. Once the challenge has gone through the validation and rebuttal phases and the rebuttal period has closed, MIHI will have 60 days to determine the challenge as “Sustained” or “Rejected.” MIHI will publish the final list of eligible locations online once they have been approved by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).

Rebuttal Process

Once challenges are submitted and determined valid by MIHI’s evaluators, the challenged entities have an opportunity to provide a rebuttal within 30 days. Non-profit Organizations may rebut the following challenges:

How to Set up an Account

Each organization or agency must be registered in the MIHI Challenge Portal to submit a challenge or rebuttal. Set up an account by completing the following steps:

1. Go to the MIHI Portal.
2. Select “Sign In” at the top right corner of the home page.
3. Select “Request a new account."
4. Enter in the necessary information.
5. Click “Request” to submit a request for an account.
6. Check your inbox for your request approval email. If the request is rejected, update your request form and resubmit.

Service availability challenges may be submitted through the MIHI portal. For non-profits organizations that have signed an FCC Tier 4 License and are looking to use larger files for bulk challenge submission, an NTIA Tier E license is required. The following materials will be requested for the license:

• FCC Registration Number (FRN), Organization Name and contact information, website link describing the organization, name of the federal broadband program (in this case, NTIA) and the counties in which the organization operates.

MIHI Portal Access Instructions

1. Go to the MIHI Portal.
2. Follow the step-by-step instructions to Submit or Track a Challenge or Submit a Rebuttal.

If users require accessibility assistance with the MIHI BEAD Challenge Portal, please contact MIHI at Leo-MIHighSpeedInternet@Michigan.gov.