As Texas gears up for a significant boost in broadband expansion funded by over $3.3 billion in federal money, Big Bend Telephone Company, a local provider, highlights both the potential and the pitfalls of this ambitious initiative. Rusty Moore, COO of Big Bend Telephone in Alpine, voiced his apprehensions to The Texas Tribune about ensuring the effective and equitable distribution of these funds, especially in rural areas historically left in the digital dark.
The federal investment aims to address the stark digital divide, with 7 million Texans lacking high-speed internet. This move could herald a new era of connectivity across the state. However, Moore told The Tribune, “We want to make sure that there’s a responsible allocation of these dollars,” underlining the importance of a cautious and informed approach to this monumental task.
The Texas Broadband Development Office, recently established and still staffing up, finds itself at the helm of this challenge. Despite filling only 60% of its positions, as Director Greg Conte shared with The Tribune, the office is tasked with the daunting responsibility of mapping out and implementing a plan that will connect millions of households and small businesses.
Past endeavors to expand rural broadband have been marred by underperformance and defaults, with companies biting off more than they could chew. This history casts a long shadow over the current efforts, with rural communities wary of being overlooked once again. Moore’s experience in West Texas, where Big Bend Telephone lost a bid to a wireless carrier that later defaulted, exemplifies the risks and disappointments that have plagued such initiatives.
The Tribune’s report underscores a broader concern echoed by a coalition of broadband providers and nonprofit organizations. In a letter to the Federal Communications Commission, they argue for flexibility in reallocating funds from failed projects to ensure no community is doubly penalized by past missteps.
With Texas set to receive the largest share of the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program funds, the criteria for awarding these resources have come under scrutiny. The state’s draft proposal prioritizes cost-effectiveness and affordability for customers but may overlook the importance of a provider’s track record and the sustainability of their proposed solutions.
Amid these strategic decisions, the slow disbursement of previous broadband funding, including the American Rescue Plan Act allocations, fuels frustration among providers and communities eager for progress. Concerns about the accuracy of the state’s broadband map further complicate efforts to identify and address the most pressing needs.
Despite these hurdles, the creation of the Texas Broadband Infrastructure Fund, approved by voters and heralding an additional $1.5 billion for internet expansion, offers a beacon of hope. This fund, alongside the federal dollars, represents a critical investment in bridging Texas’s digital divide.
Moore’s insights to The Tribune highlight a critical juncture for Texas’s rural broadband expansion. As the state navigates the complexities of this unprecedented initiative, the focus remains on not just the speed of deployment but also the depth of impact, ensuring that the digital revolution reaches every corner of rural Texas.
