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Outreach: News and Events
Monthly Roundtables
(All times are in Central Time.)
- March 25 at 3 p.m. – Industry Roundtable (Teams)
- April 3 at 10 a.m. – Local Government and Community Roundtable (Teams)
Upcoming Events
- Feb. 12-May 14 at 1 p.m. – Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Subgrantee Selection Webinar Series (Webinar series information and registration)
- March 17 – Pre-registration for Texas’ BEAD Program begins.
- March 20 – Responses to the Request for Information (RFI) are due.
Texas Comptroller Awards $9.8 Million for the Broadband Pole Replacement Program
The Broadband Development Office (BDO) has made $9.8 million in grant-funded awards to eight applicants in 121 counties as part of the second round of the Texas Broadband Pole Replacement Program. This funding aims to enhance broadband access in rural and underserved areas by partially reimbursing the replacement of 7,843 poles that support retail broadband services. Following state statute, the BDO will continue to administer future iterations of the program and provide reimbursements until all program funds have been expended to the benefit of rural Texans. Please visit the Pole Replacement Program webpage for more information.
BDO Seeks Public Input on Subdividing BEAD Project Area Units
On Feb. 18, the BDO issued an RFI seeking information from interested BEAD applicants that may support the subdivision of certain project area units, which are currently defined along Census Tract boundaries. Due to Texas’ unique geography and varying broadband needs, some Census Tracts may require further subdivision to more easily and efficiently deploy broadband. The BDO is inviting input from interested parties until March 20, at 2 p.m. CT.
For more information about the published RFI and how to submit information, please view the recorded Project Area Unit Division Inputs webinar from Feb. 19.
BEAD Applicant Pre-Registration Has Opened
On March 17, the BDO opened pre-registration for the Texas BEAD Program’s subgrantee selection process. Interested applicants are invited to submit their applicant administrative and qualifying information to jump-start their application(s). Pre-registration is optional and applicants that do not participate will still have an opportunity to apply for funds; however, pre-registration during the initial pre-registration period is strongly encouraged for applicants to begin preparing for broadband infrastructure funding. Applicants that pre-register during this period will have an opportunity to get feedback on the information they submit and resolve any issues identified, but they will not otherwise receive preferential treatment during the application evaluation process.
The initial pre-registration period will be available from Monday, March 17 through Friday, April 4.
Applicants may continue to pre-register after the initial pre-registration period closes through Wednesday, May 14; however, applicants that miss registering early will not have an opportunity to amend their information if the BDO determines what was provided is incorrect or incomplete.
Interested BEAD applicants in Texas can find additional information on the BDO’s website, including a link to the BEAD Application Portal.
For more information about pre-registration and how to participate, please view the recorded Preliminary Registration webinar from March 12.
New Pilot Program in Texas to Expand Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellite Broadband Access
On Jan. 17, Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced the BDO has begun developing a pilot program to award one or more internet service providers to support the deployment of LEO satellite broadband service in rural, unserved areas of Texas. This initiative will utilize funds from the state's Broadband Infrastructure Fund to extend broadband service to eligible locations where traditional, terrestrial broadband has proven to be cost-prohibitive or impractical due to physical challenges. LEO satellite technology promises to offer high-speed internet in remote areas where traditional infrastructure is challenging to implement. As the BDO finalizes the program, stakeholders are encouraged to stay tuned for updates on eligibility and implementation.
BDO Pauses the Use of Federal Funding to Expand Digital Opportunity
In early March, the BDO decided to pause all grants and contracts related to the state’s $55.6 allocation from the federal State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program. Due to uncertainties related to the ongoing federal government realignment to meet the priorities of the new administration, the BDO’s decision is intended to avoid potential applicants investing significant time and resources into preparing applications until the office receives more clarity on the future of the program from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).
The BDO wants to ensure all efforts adhere to and are consistent with program guidelines before funds are made available. The office will continue to engage with NTIA regarding the future direction of the program and communicate any updated guidance that becomes available.
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