Texas Broadband Development Office planning for further rural broadband expansion

EAST TEXAS (KTRE) - New state legislation is bringing reliable internet to some East Texas counties.

You use it for work, entertainment, you use it to socialize, it’s on your phone, and even on the fridge for some people: It’s reliable internet.

It’s everywhere, except in the rural areas that can’t access it.

“The need for connectivity has never been greater at this point,” said Broadband Development Director Greg Conte.

State lawmakers saw that need in 2021, coming up with House Bill 5, a bill bringing broadband internet service to rural areas.

“We didn’t have a coordinated initiative at the state level to bridge the digital divide,” said Rep. Trent Ashby (R-Lufkin), who wrote the bill.

As a result, came the Broadband Development Office.

The reason you can’t get broadband in rural areas is because it doesn’t make providers enough money when balancing the cost of expanding.

That’s where the BDO steps in.

“We’re taking public funds and utilizing that to incentivize broadband providers to build that infrastructure,” said Conte.

BDO Director Greg Conte says providers would have to pay funds back if they don’t follow through.

Since HB 5, the BDO gave 20 counties almost $12 million for high-speed internet, and they’ll have a second round for counties that need it most, including Trinity and Newton.

State Proposition 8 also gives $1.5 billion to broadband infrastructure.

“We’re looking to operationalize that funding as well to ensure that Texas is one of the most connected states in the nation,” said Conte.

Conte says they have a broadband development map using connectivity data from the FCC.

To see which locations in the state are without access, click here.