The Broadband Development Office is hiring a Broadband Program Specialist!

TX Rural Funders created a social media toolkit which highlights key points from the Benton Institute's data brief

A new brief from the Benton Institute analyzes the economic impact of ACP through the lens of financial benefits for subscribers.

The National Digital Inclusion Alliance hosted a webinar with the FCC on the ongoing ACP wind-down. View a timeline here.

Hot off the presses! The latest draft of the Texas Digital Opportunity Plan (TDOP) was submitted to NTIA on February 28, 2024. 

As states get closer to accepting applications for $42.5 billion in BEAD rural broadband funding, more defaults in the previous RDOF rural broadband funding program could be coming.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has announced the launched a dashboard showing the progress of states and territories as they plan to implement the $42.45 billion Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program.

This dashboard visualizes the data released on Affordable Connectivity Program utilization by the Universal Service Administrative Company.

For decades, millions of Americans have been forced to go without internet or pay for subpar service, which thwarts opportunities to participate and thrive in today’s society, especially for Black communities in the rural South.

We need everyone to get the word out because time is running out for the ACP! Share information about the ACP, legislative actions, and resources for Americans relying on ACP. Find a Wind-Down Fact Sheet in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

Failure by Congress to fund this program will force millions of households  on tight budgets to choose between internet access and other essential services. Visit DontDisconnectUs.org to contact your legislator!

We asked and NTIA responded with alternatives to the BEAD Letter of Credit requirement!

On November 7, Texas voters weighed in and voted YES on Prop 8!

The legislation behind the historic investment directs state agencies to send money to the state’s smaller, cash-strapped towns that have difficulty paying for upgrades. Federal money is also expected to flow to regions that need broadband.

This web application is designed to help communities and organizations make informed decisions about broadband deployment while considering natural hazard risks.

Access to broadband has transformed our economy and our society. This new document from Texas Rural Funders helps demystify funding and clarify the vocabulary of broadband development.

The Pottsboro Library and TekWav are pleased to announce a partnership to bring internet service to the patrons of the library through the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) program.

As part of the $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment Program, the NTIA announced Texas’ $3.3 billion allocation.

Operation Connectivity formed to connect Texas's 5.5 million public scchool students with an e-learning device and reliable internet sufficient for learning.

On the eve of a historic investment in connecting the Lone Star State, advocates worry maps that will help establish which communities get funding have bad information.

Based on best practices and tailored to Texas, this report works through strategies that serve Texas households, local communities, and private internet service providers.

The Texas Border Small Business Broadband Fund will invest in high-speed connectivity, digital transformation, and skills development for businesses in Hidalgo and Cameron counties

A partnership between the Center Economic Development Corporation and Etex Telephone Cooperative has resulted in multiyear project to build a new state-of-the-art network to develop critical connections to the City of Center in Shelby County.

Borderplex Connect is a regional coalition of public, private, and nonprofit partners dedicated to promoting digital inclusion in the Borderplex region.

The Dallas Fed is working with several communities to highlight barriers to expanding broadband access.

LIFE works to economically mobilize its community by teaching financial literacy, creating economic stability, and building generational wealth.

SA Digital Connects is a broad coalition of public, private, and community partners are working together to reduce the digital divide.

Book analyzing the promise and the failure of national rural broadband policy in the United States and proposes a new national broadband plan.

The Deep East Texas Council of Governments and Economic Development District is a voluntary association of local governments in an 11 county region in East Texas.

Dallas Innovation Alliance is a coalition of stakeholders invested in Dallas’ continued evolution as a forward‐thinking, innovative, ‘smart’ global city.

Texas Electric Cooperatives represents the interests of 76 electric cooperatives with more than 3 million members throughout the state.

The Texas Broadband Development Office provides a variety of tools and resources supporting the expansion of broadband access across Texas.

A national organization focused on bringing open, affordable, high-performance broadband to all people in the U.S. to ensure a thriving democracy.

This unique series focuses on broadband development finance with an emphasis on the legal, technical, and financial challenges facing communities working to develop broadband.

The National Broadband Resource Hub is a philanthropic initiative empowering government and community leaders to build a better broadband future.

Book examining how large corporations that control cable and internet access in the United States use their tremendous lobbying power to tilt the playing field against competition, holding back the infrastructure improvements necessary for the country to move forward.

Report from Texas Rural Funders that tells broadband stories across Texas counties, identifies key broadband stakeholders, offers policy recommendations.

Through a Listening Tour and Focus Group meetings, this 2018 report examines broadband access identified in rural Texas and prioritizes recomendations to empower Rural Texas.

To bridge gap between funders and community uptake, Connected Nation developed this 2018 Texas Broadband Funding Guide highlighting public and private programs across the state.

Broadband maps showing availability of broadband at various speeds in all 254 Texas counties.

Find free wifi in Texas using this map.

Texas 2036 is a non-profit dedicated to enabling Texans to make policy decisions through accessible data, long-term planning and statewide engagement.

Coalition co-founded by Texas Rural Funders which seeks to ensure all Texans have equitable access to reliable and affordable digital connectivity.

Statewide non-profit that seeks to support all Texans in accessing and leveraging broadband.

With residents and partners, Rural LISC supports resilient and inclusive rural communities as great places to live, work, and innovate.

Guidebook that helps communities evaluate and meet specific connectivity needs. It outlines community needs and how philanthropy can help.

Updated Federal Broadband Funding Guide to provide a one-stop-shop of resources for applicants.

The Public Library Association announced digital literacy courses and training materials developed in collaboration with AT&T. 

Information to help rural communities understand the available resources under the infrastructure law, where to apply, and how find more information.

Guide from Texas Rural Funders with a step-by-step approach to securing fast, reliable, affordable broadband internet service in communities. 

The American Rescue Plan provides new and expanded opportunities for rural America. Aspen CSG is collecting links and resources explaining federal opportunities for rural people and places.

The Texas Broadband Development Office gathered input from the Texas Broadband Listening Tour and survey responses to create the first Texas Broadband Plan

Pew Charitable Trusts has launched Opportunity Broadband, an alliance of partners committed to helping communities across the country use the nation's investment in universal, affordable broadband.

Tool created through a partnership between Rural LISC and Heartland Forward, showing where households have enrolled in the Affordable Connectivity Program.

Article detailing the role of public libraries in expanding digital equity through partnerships with government entities and other efforts.

The Federal Emergency Broadband Benefit (the Affordable Connectivity Program's predecessor) was intended to connect the unconnected. A recent study shows that the program did not achieve this goal, but local areas can increase program participation.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is investing billions of dollars in rural communities across the country. This playbook can help rural communities understand the available funding.

Playbook from America Achieves and Rural Innovation Strategies, Inc. with recommendations on growing the nation's broadband workforce.