Broadband Expansion in Texas: Breaking Barriers to Access and Funding — What Texans Can Do.

Broadband internet is essential for economic development, education, health care, and staying connected in today’s digital world. For many rural and underserved communities in Texas, access to high-speed internet remains a challenge, despite increasing efforts to bridge the digital divide. With billions in federal funding dedicated to broadband expansion, Texans are hopeful that these funds will finally pave the way for comprehensive coverage across the state. However, significant barriers still hinder the effective deployment of these resources. In this blog post, we’ll explore these challenges, how broadband funds have already been and will be allocated, and what steps Texans can take to ensure their communities are not left behind.

Conventional Barriers to Expanding Broadband Access

It is estimated that at least 7 million Texans lack access to broadband. Many of these unconnected or minimally connected communities are rural communities, communities of color, or communities of low income.

Several factors have traditionally contributed to the slow expansion of broadband access in Texas, particularly in rural and underserved areas:

1. Infrastructure Challenges: In rural and remote areas, building broadband infrastructure can be cost-prohibitive. The physical challenges of laying fiber-optic cables or installing wireless networks in difficult terrain or sprawling landscapes can delay deployment and installation.
2. Lack of Market Incentive: Internet Service Providers (ISPs) may be reluctant to invest in infrastructure for low-density populations where returns on investment are uncertain. However, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Technology Engagement Center estimates that increased access to digital tools over three years could generate nearly $6.7 billion in increased annual sales for rural Texas businesses while creating more than 23,000 jobs.
3. Lack of Competition: Many regions in Texas suffer from a lack of broadband competition, with a few dominant providers controlling access. This lack of competition often results in higher prices and lower service quality for consumers. Expanding broadband infrastructure in these areas is vital to ensuring that residents and businesses have reliable, affordable internet access.

Acknowledging these barriers, the federal and state governments have worked to eliminate some of these barriers through deep investment in expanding broadband access to all.

Existing Broadband Funding

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) enacted by the federal government allocated $500.5 million to Texas for broadband expansion and digital literacy programs. These funds have already begun to be used for deploying fiber-optic networks in some rural areas, but some funding is yet to be fully distributed and utilized. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also a federal act, allocated over $3.3 billion to Texas through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program (BEAD) – the largest allocation to any state. These funds will be used for building out internet infrastructure, connecting underserved areas, and subsidizing services for low-income residents. Further, the Texas legislature appropriated an additional $1.5 billion to support Texas Broadband Development Office (TBDO) programs.

Texas has also received funding for digital equity initiatives, including programs to provide devices and internet access to low-income households and underserved populations. TBDO can now access $55.6 million allocated to the Texas Digital Opportunity Plan authorized by the Digital Equity Act (DEA) of 2021. According to the TBDO, this money will establish a digital opportunity grant program, grow and sustain a digital opportunity ecosystem, and maintain a living digital opportunity plan. Competitive grant programs and how applicants may apply for funds will be released in 2025.

While the funds exist, the bulk of funding remains untapped.

Current Barriers to Spending Broadband Funds

The Texas broadband expansion initiative is supported by a substantial influx of federal funds through programs like ARPA, IIJA, and state funding. Despite the considerable financial support, several barriers are hindering the effective spending of these funds:

1. Funding Disbursement Delays: The bureaucratic challenges of releasing funds have resulted in slow broadband money disbursement. For example, the BEAD program required that the state submit a plan for broadband expansion that has to be approved prior to the release of funds. Even though funding exists to support infrastructure expansion, it is taking years for these funds to trickle down to local communities.
2. Complex Regulations and Bureaucracy: The process of accessing and utilizing federal broadband funds comes with regulations that can slow down the disbursement and deployment process. Local governments and ISPs, who may or may not be familiar with federal fund allocation processes, must navigate the labyrinth of rules and guidelines to ensure compliance and eligibility for funding.
3. Coordination Among Stakeholders: Effective broadband expansion requires collaboration between local, state, and federal governments, as well as the private and nonprofit sectors. The need for alignment among these diverse stakeholders has delayed implementation, as differing priorities, timelines, resources, and knowledge bases complicate efforts.
4. Mapping Challenges: One of the major hurdles in broadband expansion lies in accurately mapping areas with insufficient or no broadband access. Without precise maps, it's difficult to determine where the funds are most needed, leading to misallocation or delays in fund distribution.

How Map Challenges Work

One of the most pressing issues in broadband expansion is inaccurate broadband maps, which are crucial for determining where funding is needed the most. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) maintains broadband maps that show areas with broadband access, but these maps have historically been inaccurate and out of date.

For example, many maps have overestimated coverage, showing areas as served by broadband when, in fact, residents may have limited or no internet access. To address this, the FCC introduced the Broadband Data Collection (BDC) initiative, which allows states, communities, and individuals to challenge broadband maps and correct inaccuracies. If a community believes its area is misrepresented on the map, it can submit a challenge with evidence to help the FCC update the data. This is crucial because accurate mapping ensures that funding goes to the most underserved areas.

Texans interested in participating in the Texas BEAD Challenge Process can visit the BEAD page on the TBDO website here. This page contains the link to the Texas BEAD Map Challenge Portal and several webinar recordings that cover where they are in the challenge process and components necessary for a successful challenge. The TBDO will host the next and final live challenge process webinar on January 8, 2025. Texans can register for the webinar here.

As of November 5, 2024, Texans can also receive additional support by calling the BEAD Challenge Process helpline: 855-TEX-BEAD (855-839-2323).

How Texans Can Ensure Access to Broadband

The expansion of broadband in Texas requires active participation from residents. Here are several steps Texans can take to ensure their area is prioritized for broadband expansion:

1. Participate in the Mapping Challenge: Texans should check their local broadband coverage on the FCC’s broadband map and report any inaccuracies here. If the map shows your area as served when it is not, you can submit a challenge to help ensure the correct allocation of funds. You can find more Texas specific information on the TBDO’s website here.
2. Engage with Local and State Officials: Texans should contact their state and local representatives to express the importance of broadband expansion in their communities. These officials play a crucial role in securing and directing funds to underserved areas.
3. Monitor Funding Allocations: Texans should stay informed about how funds are being allocated in their area by regularly reviewing the TBDO’s website when able. Many local governments will have public meetings or forums where residents can learn about the progress of broadband projects and voice concerns.
4. Support Rural Broadband Initiatives: By supporting local organizations and advocacy groups focused on expanding rural broadband, Texans can strengthen efforts to address gaps in broadband coverage. Some key collaborations include:
   1. Texas Rural Broadband Coalition
   2. Digital Texas
   3. Rio Grande Valley Broadband Coalition
   4. Regional councils of government

The Promise of Broadband

Broadband expansion in Texas holds the promise of bridging the digital divide and bringing economic, educational, and social opportunities to underserved communities. However, overcoming the barriers to spending broadband funds and addressing infrastructure challenges will require time, collaboration, and vigilance from all stakeholders. Texans have an important role to play in ensuring that funds are used effectively and that their communities are prioritized for broadband access. By staying engaged and advocating for accurate broadband maps, Texans can help ensure that no one is left behind in the state’s digital future.