How Brownsville Lost Its ‘Worst Connected City’ Label

The city of Brownsville has invested in digital equity to shed the label of “worst connected city” that it received in 2014 and the impact is increasingly evident as its fiber network acts as the foundation for other connectivity enhancements.

Urban broadband access comes with its own unique challenges, and long-term solutions require a multifaceted approach.

Brownsville received the “worst connected city” designation based on data from the 2014 American Community Survey, the yearly U.S. Census Bureau assessment. But in a more recent ranking based on 2023 American Community Survey data, Brownsville was not on the list. So, what changed?

The city was going through a period of stagnation regarding connectivity improvements, according to CIO Jorge Cardenas. A lack of investment and a lack of planning were acting as barriers to advancement, he said, but new leadership in 2018 was the catalyst for that to change.

Officials received an American Rescue Plan Act grant in 2021, securing nearly $20 million in funding for the city’s fiber broadband project, the Middle Mile Fiber Network. Officials knew, Cardenas said, that this was the primary way that the city could support the work of major companies like SpaceX that were looking to expand in Brownsville.

The project, which entailed 100 miles of fiber installed, kicked off in February 2023 and was completed in May 2024, he said. At one point, 18 crews were working at once to complete the drilling, splicing and running cable. Cardenas’ background, which involved building fiber networks abroad during his time in the U.S. military, gave him the expertise to shape the city’s deployment strategy.

City leadership values the role of public-private partnerships, Cardenas said, and this venture reflects that. A partnership with an Internet service provider (ISP) and coordination with utility companies supported an efficient build-out process. The partnership also mitigated the need for the city to train personnel for the project. With his experience, Cardenas was able to contribute his expertise, saving the city money on a consultant that he said could instead be used to build more fiber.

There was one primary reason why the city chose fiber for this project and that, according to Cardenas, is “because it is the future.” Fiber has been deemed the “gold standard” of broadband infrastructure. In addition to better resilience in extreme heat, Cardenas said the difference in speed, cost and efficiency compared to copper is evident: “It’s day and night.”

The fiber network served as the foundation for a private 5G (P5G) network to support municipal operations in Brownsville, which kicked off in May 2024. The fiber infrastructure powers private 5G radios that can connect smart technology in the city, including cameras. This project was completed in July, the CIO said. The P5G network provides citywide wireless coverage, supporting improved data transmission. The project, the scope of which entails 80 P5G sites with 143 radios, aims to support smart city applications including AI-powered analysis.

“There’s no such thing as a smart city without a connection,” Cardenas said. “You need to be connected before you can do anything else.”

But the city’s work to expand connectivity goes beyond infrastructure to address the other barriers people face in accessing the Internet: affordability and digital literacy.

The city’s partnership with ISP OMNI Fiber, announced in May, included an agreement requiring that, in exchange for using the city’s middle-mile network to run fiber to the premises, the company must provide a discounted package for eligible customers, Cardenas said.

In addition, a public-private partnership in the city supported the distribution of 320 computers to families who cannot afford them, and a workshop to support their use.

The city has hired two technicians who can offer direct support to members of the community, if they have questions with technology or how to use a computer. And, the Brownsville Public Library System is offering computer classes and cybersecurity education. Public libraries play an essential role in achieving digital equity.

The city’s connectivity work is already supporting economic growth in the community, Cardenas underlined. The fiber and added security that comes with having a single network power all operations, support financial investment in Brownsville.

This story first appeared in Government Technology, Industry Insider — Texas' sister publication.