INSIDER
1.7 million Texas households are set to lose monthly internet subsidy
Read full article: 1.7 million Texas households are set to lose monthly internet subsidyThe Affordable Connectivity Program provides a $30 monthly subsidy to help low-income households pay for internet service. The program is slated to run out of money at the end of the month.
Rural Texans, internet providers worry that feds’ broadband expansion plan will have a painfully slow rollout
Read full article: Rural Texans, internet providers worry that feds’ broadband expansion plan will have a painfully slow rolloutA historic $3.3 billion federal investment in broadband could connect millions of Texans to the internet. But getting the money to the right hands could be a challenge.
Texas kids would need parental consent to create social media accounts under House bill
Read full article: Texas kids would need parental consent to create social media accounts under House billThe House gave initial approval to the bill Tuesday. The legislation is a priority for Speaker Dade Phelan.
With billions of dollars on the line, East Texans say a crucial state map incorrectly shows they already have broadband
Read full article: With billions of dollars on the line, East Texans say a crucial state map incorrectly shows they already have broadbandEast Texans worry they could miss out on federal dollars because a state map that will help determine where the money goes shows they already have access to broadband. Residents say their broadband is chronically unreliable.
Amarillo’s plan for broadband in El Barrio could be a playbook for other Texas communities without internet
Read full article: Amarillo’s plan for broadband in El Barrio could be a playbook for other Texas communities without internetTexas has had trouble getting a state of 30 million residents online for years — even before the pandemic put a spotlight on poor broadband development.
As lawmakers begin a new session, Texas mayors want to maintain control of local issues
Read full article: As lawmakers begin a new session, Texas mayors want to maintain control of local issuesMayors from the state’s most populous cities presented their legislative wish list, including economic development and workforce programs, broadband infrastructure and violence prevention.
With billions for broadband on the line, Texas asks federal government for more time to improve access maps
Read full article: With billions for broadband on the line, Texas asks federal government for more time to improve access mapsLocal officials, echoing Glenn Hegar, say the current maps are flawed and the process to lodge complaints is cumbersome.
Kickapoo Tribe is getting a $2.6 million grant from the federal government to connect to the internet
Read full article: Kickapoo Tribe is getting a $2.6 million grant from the federal government to connect to the internetLarge swaths of rural Texas have poor or no access to the internet. This grant aims to close that gap for more than 300 Native American households.
Analysis: Texans without high-speed internet are getting closer, slowly
Read full article: Analysis: Texans without high-speed internet are getting closer, slowlyLike other states, Texas found out during the pandemic how critical high-speed broadband is for school, work and medicine. And the state is working to expand it — but it’s going to be at least a year before Texans start to see results.
Beto O’Rourke targets Gov. Greg Abbott for vetoing bill to improve internet access in rural Texas
Read full article: Beto O’Rourke targets Gov. Greg Abbott for vetoing bill to improve internet access in rural TexasAbbott vetoed legislation in June that would have helped shore up the Universal Service Fund, which supports telecommunications in rural Texas. He said it would have “imposed a new fee on millions of Texans.”