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3. Grant Program Management:
One of the key roles of the BDO is to design, build, and manage an efficient, compliant, and competitive grant program. This program awards grants and other financial instruments to support the deployment of broadband technologies and opportunities throughout the state.
4. Setting Standards: The BDO sets and adjusts standards for broadband service in terms of speed, latency, reliability, and resilience. By prioritizing fiber projects where possible, the
office aims to promote a future-ready broadband network capable of meeting the evolving needs of Texans.
5. Community Outreach: Engaging with communities in need is a crucial part of the BDO’s mission. The office collaborates with state and local governments, communities, and industry stakeholders to gather input and foster partnerships that drive broadband expansion efforts.
6. Increasing Access and Affordability: The BDO works to increase access to affordable broadband service offerings and address barriers that prevent individuals from gaining broadband access. This includes initiatives aimed at reducing costs
and providing support for low-income households.
7. Universal Access and Quality:
Ultimately, the BDO strives to achieve universal access and high-quality service, ensuring that every Texan has the opportunity to participate in the digital economy. By addressing both infrastructure and adoption challenges, the office is committed to creating a connected future for all.
The creation of the Broadband Development Office marks a significant advancement in Texas’s efforts to improve digital connectivity. By emphasizing strategic planning, community involvement, and stringent standards, the BDO is set to make a lasting impact on the state’s digital future.
This interview shed light on the BDO’s mission and its holistic strategy to expand broadband access. As Texas navigates the post-pandemic era,
the work of the BDO will be vital in
guaranteeing that all residents have the connectivity they need to prosper.
Defining Underserved Communities
In terms of broadband services
offered through the BDO, underserved communities are those that face significant barriers to accessing high- quality, reliable internet. These barriers can be economic, geographic, or related to digital literacy. The BDO specifically identifies several groups that often fall into the underserved category:
Aging Individuals: Challenges include internet availability, adequacy, and digital literacy.
English Learners & Low Levels of Literacy: Barriers such as the cost of internet service, access to technical support and devices, awareness of discounted programs, digital literacy, and cybersecurity.
Incarcerated Individuals: Issues include digital skills and internet reliability.
Individuals with Disabilities:
Major obstacles are the cost of internet service and digital literacy.
Low-Income Individuals:
Difficulties involve the cost of internet service, access to devices, digital literacy, and cybersecurity awareness.
Racial or Ethnic Minorities:
Barriers include the cost of internet service, digital skills, and cybersecurity.
Rural Residents: Primary challenges are internet availability and adequacy.
Veterans: Issues largely involve internet availability and adequacy.
Broadband Access in Texas: The Plan.
Nearly 2.8 million Texas households and 7 million people lack broadband, leaving 23% of Texans unable to attend online classes, access healthcare, apply for jobs, or start businesses online. This digital divide, disproportionately affecting rural, low-income, and communities of color, has worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic.
To tackle this issue, the 87th Texas Legislature established the Broadband Development Office (BDO) with $5 million in state funds and over $600 million from federal initiatives. In 2022, the Texas Broadband Listening Tour
gathered input from 12 communities and over 16,000 survey respondents, highlighting concerns about slow speeds, unreliable access, and affordability. The BDO went on two tours to gather community input on Texans’ connectivity needs, first on a 12-stop tour in 2022 and again in 2023 on a 24-stop tour. Feedback gathered during the tours was supplemented with two statewide surveys of over 25,000 Texans highlighting concerns about slow speeds, unreliability access and affordability.
The BDO’s Texas Broadband
Plan, informed by these insights,
aims to improve broadband access through collaboration between local governments, private entities, and residents. Reliable, high-speed internet is now essential for public health, safety, education, and agriculture in Texas.
To make expanding broadband easier and ensure all Texans can share their needs, the BDO has set up a strong engagement process. This process involves working with local, regional, and tribal groups and goes beyond just meeting federal requirements. It also includes reaching out to communities with fewer resources, workforce development organizations, colleges, and other state agencies.
In Conclusion
The establishment of the Broadband Development Office represents a significant step forward in Texas’s efforts to enhance digital connectivity. By focusing on strategic planning, community engagement, and robust standards, the BDO is poised to make a lasting impact on the state’s digital landscape.
Texas811 and the Broadband Development Office have begun to
work together to protect Texas’s underground infrastructure and,
most importantly, to ensure the safety of Texas workers. This partnership highlights the comprehensive approach needed to effectively address broadband expansion and infrastructure safety.
For more information: Please visit:
https://comptroller.texas.gov/programs/ broadband/
Also, make plans to attend the 2024 Texas Damage Prevention Summit and attend a session with The Broadband Development Office team.
16 • Texas811 2024, Issue 3