One Region’s Broadband Plans Nearing Completion

With rural connectivity on the line across the state, leaders have used local media outlets to implore residents and businesses to make sure they dispute misrepresentation of underserved and unserved areas on the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) National Broadband Map, which will be used to distribute funding to states, territories and tribal areas in the push for equalizing connectivity for all.

One of the entities that issued the call to stakeholders is the East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG), where staffers have been fielding phone calls and helping to input disputes for constituents.

The agency has had connectivity at top of mind for at least 13 years and has been leveraging monies to plan for about three years, Executive Director David Cleveland told Industry Insider — Texas.

The ETCOG has been working with its 14 constituent counties to put planning in place, and they are nearing the finish line. Using a grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, almost all counties are finished. They used $375,000 in federal grants and $161,000 in local funds.

The region includes some 10,000 square miles, larger than some states, he said, and his concern is that the map doesn’t reflect the region’s true Internet services. The lead time for disputes hasn’t been long enough for the deep dive into the data that agencies need.

Map accuracy is imperative to move forward.

The FCC appeals deadline is set for today unless appeals for a longer process are granted by the federal government. Among states requesting a longer date is Texas, as seen in the state comptroller’s letter dated mid-December.

Even with multiple mapping efforts across the U.S. and in Texas, the ETCOG purchased a large data set for geographic information system (GIS) specialists to work with in pinpointing what portions are served, underserved and unserved. The data bundle cost $15,000; however, it gave them an edge in figuring out where the gaps are.

“It takes a lot of time to go through this process,” Cleveland said. “We need time because we don’t want to send inaccurate information. We’re working with our GIS team and will [likely] request an extension.”

While the ETCOG decides how to approach the deadline and whether to send a dispute letter, Cleveland is confident that the planning process went well and now can move forward when the time is right.

At that point, telecommunications vendors will go through a standard procurement process.