The goal of expanding broadband availability in Texas has been a long time coming, and local government and Internet providers across the state have been working toward rural connectivity and securing funds.
The CPA’s Broadband Development Office is taking another round of applications for the program in support of broadband access.
The Broadband Development Office is seeking expert viewpoints on the most effective method for defining project areas for the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program.
The comptroller’s office issued its notice of funding that will reimburse funds to qualified applicants that replaced poles after Aug. 31, 2021.
Round two of the Bringing Online Opportunities to Texas program has been allocated up to $303.4 million, nearly 25 times more than the first round of awarded funds.
The BDO is seeking public input about broadband speeds and what threshold Texas will use to determine funding eligibility. Speed thresholds are in play after the FCC raised the national benchmark.
The state agriculture department will distribute $23.9 million to rural hospitals while the Broadband Development Office readies for additional federal grant applications.
The state comptroller will oversee the $1.5 billion fund intended to support broadband and telecommunications across the state.
The comptroller’s allocated budget for the 2024-25 biennium is $718 million, with $5 million for broadband programming.
An RFP has been issued for a vendor with specialized knowledge to analyze local government broadband needs, planning and coordination across the state.
The Broadband Development Office is making regional visits, working through BOOT applications and looking toward an updated broadband map.
Now that the state has received its BEAD allocation, concerns over this federal requirement have clouded initial enthusiasm.
The comptroller’s office has published a list of companies and their applications for broadband grants.
The years since the COVID-19 shutdowns have seen multiple implementations get off the ground ahead of funding announcements such as this week’s $3.3 billion announcement.
Changes to the program will allow for more areas to receive grants and will also broaden requirements for Internet speed and latency.
The money comes from federal programming created during the pandemic to help address broadband shortfalls.
House Bill 9 will allocate $1.5 billion to the Texas Broadband Infrastructure Fund to expand high-speed Internet access throughout the state.
The Bringing Online Opportunities to Texas program funding is available to applicants who can help provide last-mile broadband.
Bills aim to provide additional funding to the state's Broadband Development Office; however, each would require approval from voters before becoming law.
The State Comptroller of Public Accounts has published a notice of $120 million in funding availability, which kicks off the distribution of federal COVID-19 monies.
The state comptroller published the final rules governing how its Broadband Development Office will decide how federal broadband infrastructure funds will be distributed.
BOOT, also known as Bringing Online Opportunities to Texas, will support sustainable broadband infrastructure projects awarded through a competitive grant process.
The agency’s director discussed the next steps for Texas in the broadband planning process.
With it comes more information about which areas might receive funding for broadband deployment projects.
Meanwhile, officials would like the federal government to reconsider deadlines to ensure equitable allotments.
His office requested an extension allowing for comprehensive, accurate feedback before funding commences.
The Texas broadband office encourages participation by anyone with a stake in connectivity.
Multiple users will be served by the effort that is key to connectivity funds.
U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar invited experts to speak on federal funds and connectivity.
The state office overseeing the Broadband Development Office announced the contract award this week.
The state official updated the North Texas Commission and guests on broadband, ending with a strong outlook on the state economy.
