These are two of 12 communities on the comptroller’s list this year. He, along with Greg Conte, director of the state’s Broadband Development Office, stopped last month in Fort Worth where elected officials, public-sector employees, business leaders and residents attended to observe and make comments. People came from Dallas, Tarrant, Denton and Palo Pinto counties, among others.
Questions were raised about broadband mapping, federal funding, equity in access for all Texans and how smaller telecommunications companies could get involved.
Education and health-care concerns were on the list, too, as commenters referenced pandemic responses that left swaths of the public needing online access to continue classroom learning, schedule doctors’ visits and work.
While more than 9 out of 10 Texas households have access to broadband service, not all choose to subscribe. Many households rely on mobile devices to access services due to the cost of an Internet connection.
Gaby Rowe, of Operation Connectivity, who was in attendance, worked with the Dallas Independent School District to address student Internet and mobile device access as pandemic closures “brought new understanding to the problem.” She believes there are as many as 2.2 million Texas K-12 students without dedicated access and many more without devices.
“People just don’t understand that it’s not affordable for some people. If you had to pick between Internet and a phone, what would you pick?” asked Jennifer Harris, director of Connected Nation Texas.
Texas has a population of 29 million and is the ninth-largest economy in the world. Some 65.6 percent of the state’s households subscribe to fixed broadband; however, speeds differ, and some aren’t up to current federal speed standards, according to the nonprofit.
These issues cut across rural, urban and suburban areas, and Connected Nation Texas has assisted many locales with broadband mapping and publishing.
The Texas Broadband Development Office is charged with creating an accurate broadband map and has timelines listed on the website. The office, established under House Bill 5 during the 87th Legislature, is also charged with establishing a statewide plan, awarding grants and monies, setting the threshold speed for broadband, providing community outreach and addressing barriers for future expansion.
Conte told the audience that he wants to “close the gap” between now and five years and that a state broadband plan will be released in June.
This month’s broadband tour stops include:
- Waco Convention Center, 2 p.m. April 4
- University of Texas at Tyler, 2 p.m. April 6
- Expo Center of Taylor County, Abeline, 1 p.m. April 7
- The University of Texas at El Paso, 1:30 p.m. April 11
- University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg, 2 p.m. April 26
- Angelo State University, San Angelo, 1:30 p.m. April 28
All events are free, but registration is requested.
