Nearly 2.8 million Texas households lack access to high-speed internet and cannot fully participate in a technology-reliant economy.
To expand digital opportunities for all Texans, the Texas Broadband Development Office (BDO) is developing the Texas Digital Opportunity Plan. A major step in this process is to identify the digital opportunity barriers faced by Texas households. To better understand these barriers, BDO has developed the Texas Digital Opportunity Public Survey to collect information about what Texans are experiencing with broadband internet accessibility, affordability and adoption.
All Texans 18 or older are encouraged to take the survey, which takes 10-15 minutes to complete. Widespread input will ensure the state develops a comprehensive and inclusive plan that effectively addresses the digital opportunity needs of all Texans.
BDO has created a toolkit that counties and others can use to help spread the word about the survey. The toolkit includes a sample flyer, a sample press release, sample social media postings and more. Find it here.
BDO also is working with its Connect Texas team to prepare for the upcoming receipt of federal funds, estimated to be as much as $4 billion. Opportunities for communities to inform BDO's Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment Five-Year Action and Texas Digital Opportunity plans include regional meetings, BDO Board of Advisers meetings, and local government and industry roundtables. Texas residents and businesses looking to participate should email Plan4Broadband@cpa.texas.gov to connect with their regional working group.
The Local Government Broadband Roundtable meets virtually on the first Thursday of every month at 10 a.m. The roundtables are intended to inform local elected officials and their staffs, nonprofits and other community-based organizations that want to ensure their constituents have access to reliable, affordable internet. The next meeting is June 1, and the meeting link can be used for every meeting moving forward.
For more information, please contact Megan Molleur at (800) 456‑5974.