- ISPs Support Texas After Floods
- Study Examines Access for Tribal Households
- Report: Better Data Will Improve Deployment
- States Progress on BEAD
- Local Broadband Expansion
ISPS SUPPORT TEXAS AFTER FLOODS
Companies are offering support to communities following emergency flooding in Texas.
Verizon has donated $100,000 to support search and rescue efforts, while also waiving domestic calls, texts and data usage from July 7 to August 3 for consumers on metered plans in 28 affected Central Texas counties.
Verizon’s network remains operational despite devastation caused by the flooding, and Verizon teams are working with local public safety and emergency management efforts to coordinate communication support. The company is also providing low-earth orbit satellite devices to support the Texas Department of Public Safety’s drone search and recovery operations.
“We are committed to providing the resources and connectivity our neighbors need for safety and recovery,” said Michelle R. Miller, senior vice president at Verizon, in a statement.
AT&T has announced that its Mobile Connectivity Center will remain at the Hunt Store for the next three weeks if weather permits. This center is a free, air-conditioned public resource that offers access to 16 computers, Wi-Fi, and charging stations for phones and other devices.
T-Mobile has also donated to the cause, with a $500,000 donation to the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country’s Kerr County Flood Relief Fund. The company is offering free Wi-Fi and charging at several locations in the area. Locations are changing, so residents can check the company’s updates for the current availability.
The company’s network remains operational in the region as of July 8, and other assets have been deployed. T-Mobile is working with the Texas Division of Emergency Management to support search and rescue operations. The company also temporarily enabled its T-Satellite with Starlink service for T-Mobile customers.
Starlink is also offering support. On July 5, the company posted on X that it would be providing “Mini kits for search and rescue efforts,” which would enable connectivity in dead zones. The company is also providing one month of free service for thousands of customers in the region, the post states.
Last Friday, Gov. Greg Abbott directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to activate state emergency response resources ahead of expected weather threats.
“Texas continues to stand ready to deploy all necessary resources to support Texans as severe storms move across our state,” said Gov. Abbott in a statement.
STUDY EXAMINES ACCESS FOR TRIBAL HOUSEHOLDS
A new study analyzes how the digital divide impacts tribal households — specifically those with children — in northern Michigan.
The report was released by Connected Nation Michigan with support from the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. It analyzes data from a 2023 survey to focus on primary measures: computer ownership and Internet access.
A total of 84 percent of tribal households with children have both a computer and home Internet access, but 16 percent either lack a computer, lack a home Internet subscription, or lack both. The report also identifies a connection between income and access.
Recommendations provided in the analysis include continued broadband infrastructure deployment on tribal lands and increased access to affordable devices through funding programs.
REPORT: BETTER DATA WILL IMPROVE DEPLOYMENT
The Pew Charitable Trusts released a report last week that highlights the need for better data collection efforts to support broadband deployment.
While existing federal data has been put to use by researchers and policymakers over the years, and while that information has informed program design, federal data is not without limitations, including inconsistent definitions and incomplete information.
The report recommends that policymakers address affordability, measurement methods, and network quality through legislation. It also calls on policymakers to devise reporting requirements assessing network performance data. Additional funding investments will likely be needed, either at the state or federal level, to collect the necessary data to support impact assessments.
STATES PROGRESS ON BEAD
States are working to submit their proposals by Sept. 4 following changes to the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program earlier this year. States must now also conduct an additional “Benefit of the Bargain Round” of subgrantee selection as part of these changes.
This application window is intended to offer greater flexibility and competition. It reopens funding access to all BEAD-eligible locations. It complies with updated federal policy from the restructuring in an effort streamline participation in the program.
As the BEAD program was designed to be state-led, different states have enacted different timelines for the Benefit of the Bargain application period. For example, Alabama’s Benefit of the Bargain application period closed on Tuesday, while West Virginia’s period is open through July 20.
LOCAL BROADBAND EXPANSION
At the local level, communities continue to invest in expanding access to broadband.
In Carroll County, Tenn., Spectrum launched high-speed Internet access for more than 1,500 homes and businesses as part of the company’s $7 billion rural construction initiative.
There are “far too many homes and businesses without access to reliable and affordable broadband services” in the county, according to a statement from U.S. Rep. David Kustoff: "It is a top priority to ensure that rural West Tennessee communities receive adequate funding and resources for broadband.”
Residents and business owners who want to learn more about the investment can visit the company initiative webpage.
