Supporting High-Quality
Internet Solutions In Texas.

Let’s Address the Digital Divide in Texas

Now, more than ever, Americans rely on access to the high-quality internet service that has made U.S. broadband a global leader in terms of investment, availability, relevance, and readiness. According to 2021 data from Pew Research Center, 93% of American adults use the internet – an increase of nearly 80% since 2000. In Texas, the trends match or exceed the national average.

However, some residents still do not have a high-speed, quality broadband connection in their homes. In fact, 7% of U.S. adults – around 18 million people – remain unconnected. The Alliance for Quality Broadband won’t stop until 100% of the country is online. We are advocating for solutions to address the digital divide comprehensively, connect more Americans by investing in broadband deployment in unserved areas, and promote effective broadband adoption programs to remove barriers that are preventing people from subscribing to internet service.

Government leaders play an important role in getting consumers and businesses connected. Whether it’s improving digital literacy and technology skills, subsidizing deployment to reach unserved rural areas, or promoting the government’s consumer subsidies and numerous private sector programs available to low-income families, collaboration with experienced internet service providers with the expertise to build and maintain high-quality networks is critical. Utilizing existing networks also leaves more tax dollars available for investment in teachers and education, roads, water systems, public safety, and other core government services.

BROADBAND IN TEXAS

According to BroadbandNow:

The majority of Texans have high-quality providers available – in fact, BroadbandNow says 91% of Texas residents have access to a wired connection with speeds of 100 Mbps.

Eligible low-income families can now access this high-quality internet at low or no cost with the federal broadband benefit available through the Affordable Connectivity Program.

Yet too many Texas families remain unconnected – particularly in those areas of our community that have historically been under-resourced.

“The most recent U.S. Census Bureau data indicate that almost 2.8 million Texas households — including 7 million people — lack broadband access. Twenty-three percent of Texans are unable to attend online classes, see a health care provider from their living room, fill out a job application online, start a business or access online marketplaces from their kitchen table. These barriers negatively affect Texans’ quality of life and limit economic opportunities for individuals and the state overall.”

– TEXAS COMPTROLLER GLENN HEGAR

Unfortunately, some Texas communities are considering plans to build and operate government-owned broadband networks, even though these networks have a very poor track-record in Texas and usually do not connect families in under-resourced areas that need help the most. Some examples include:

DAYTON, TX: In 2021, the City of Dayton launched a fiber-to-the-home broadband service in portions of the community. The following year, after extremely low interest from residents and local businesses, the community opted to sell the network. The city anticipates that taxpayers will lose $12 million on the project.

BROWNSVILLE, TX: Although construction on the city’s fiber network only began in the fall of 2022, costs have already skyrocketed beyond initial estimates. The project was originally projected to cost $61 million, but forecasts have since been revised to a $90 million price tag.

PHARR, TX: Ballooning costs are also impacting the ‘PharrNet’ broadband network. Initial estimates for the project were $40 Million, but the city’s most recent budget has already doubled that number to $80M, with tenuous financial viability also hinging on a 65% take rate – significantly higher than most community-owned broadband projects are able to achieve.

What We Are Fighting For

The Alliance for Quality Broadband understands that reliably connecting all Texans requires solutions that holistically address the digital divide. We are working to connect more Americans by:

Encouraging focused investment in broadband deployment to reach the unserved

Promoting meaningful digital literacy, affordability, and adoption programs

Protecting taxpayers from risky investments and crippling debt made at the expense of more pressing local needs

Partnering with proven providers to deliver critically-needed technology and connectivity

Ensuring the proper use of federal infrastructure funding to target taxpayer funds to where it is needed most

What They Are Saying

Resources

Municipal Fiber in the United States: An Empirical Assessment of Financial Performance
Broadband Myths: Does Municipal Broadband Scale Well to Fit U.S. Broadband Needs?
GON with the Wind: The Failed Promise of Government Networks Across the Country

Meet Our Coalition Partners

Join Us

Do you support high-quality solutions to address the digital divide and connect more Texans? We need you to join our efforts.