How is Texas progressing on broadband and BEAD?
Erin Benal, Broadband Development Coordinator, Texas Broadband Development Office, speaks to Network X Americas about how Texas is working to bring fiber to every home in the US state.
Erin Benal
Broadband Development Coordinator
Texas Broadband Development Office
Q: What is the current state of broadband coverage in Texas?
A: At the Texas Broadband Development Office, our latest data estimates close to 630,000 unserved locations and 233,913 under-served locations. Our goal is to achieve universal service with fiber to the home to locations across Texas.
Q: What is the biggest challenge to broadband deployment in Texas?
A: Our primary challenge is ensuring that we are getting the best quality data to enable us to support broadband deployment where it is needed most.
Q: How is Texas progressing with the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program?
A: Texas is making solid progress with BEAD, moving along steadily with the program’s timelines. The Texas Broadband Development Office submitted the Initial Proposal Volumes I and II to the US’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) on December 23, 2023. The NTIA has been quick with their response so we can begin the curing process. At the time of writing, we had received curing requests for both Volumes, and resubmitted Volume I for NTIA review.
Q: What are you most interested in learning about during Network X Americas 2024?
A: I am always excited to hear from industry leaders about their own plans for BEAD. Broadband expansion requires teamwork, so the more we can learn from the service and solution providers attending the event, the more efficient we can make these programs.
Q: How important is sustainability to your organization?
A: Sustainability is part of every conversation we have at the Texas Broadband Development Office. We are doing everything we can to make sure that sustainability is part of our work.
We want to make sure the state’s broadband network lasts and serves every household in Texas. To ensure this, we need to think about workforce and make sure we have trained teams to build and maintain the network. We are also working to encourage education and keep our community leaders informed.
Erin Benal will be speaking at Network X Americas. Join us in Texas from May 21-23, 2024, to hear industry insights on BEAD and US broadband deployment.