Broadband data collected in July 2021 show that only 37.5% of households in Newton County have access to broadband. The data collected by Connected Nation Texas show that almost two-thirds of the residents either use non-fixed internet connections such as dial-up, satellite, and mobile-only services, or are not adopting broadband at all. These non-fixed types of internet services, while providing basic access, can often be plagued by connection latency, have costly monthly data plans, or can be impacted by weather, terrain, large expanses of open water, and other environmental factors.
Objective
Newton County should promote fixed broadband deployment strategies for more reliable and accessible services to residents. Access and adoption of the Internet need to be addressed. Survey results suggest unreliability and cost are critical issues within all community sectors – residents, agriculture, healthcare, and businesses specifically. The Rural Development Opportunity Fund money will be helpful to many in Newton County, but residents and businesses still could be without service for 6-8 years given the time providers have to fulfill their contracts. Interim and permanent solutions need to be discussed.
Actions
Action 1 – Appoint a point of contact to handle broadband issues and needs in Newton County. Judge Weeks should appoint the point of contact with input from the Commissioners Court. This point of contact should establish relationships with all broadband stakeholders to help bring broadband into the county and ensure duplication of work and effort does not occur. RDOF money will potentially be awarded to Charter Communications, LLC and LTD Broadband, LLC totaling up to $8,944,893. DETCOG potentially has been awarded $9,000,000 to construct a rural broadband network in northern Newton County. This relationship between Newton County and providers allows Newton County leadership a more active voice in how money is invested for the betterment of their residents. The point of contact should focus attention on making sure funds are spent efficiently. They will develop a document of specific needs and issues surrounding broadband. The point of contact will understand the scope of work providers are planning in Newton County. The point of contact will update the court on funding opportunities by the federal government and potentially the State government.
Action 2 – Updating Newton County’s website to instruct internet service providers how to do business in the county can delete barriers and streamline the process. This minimizes barriers to providers bringing fixed broadband into the county by making critical county information easily accessible. Newton County already has a procurement bid notice page at http://www.co.newton.tx.us/page/newton.ProcurementBidNotices, and this would be a good place to include all vendor information and any electronic forms vendors need. Other websites and social media sites can share the link such as:
Action 3 – Develop and release a Request for Proposals (RFP) for an asset inventory. The point of contact should guide the development of the RFP. This audit will help identify Newton County assets that can be shared and leveraged in partnership with providers. Examples of assets that can be shared include:
- Anchor tenants
- Building rooftops
- Light poles,
- Towers and other vertical assets for mounting infrastructure
Developing public-private partnerships benefits both parties. The community can offer infrastructure and the providers bring network-building and operations experience. For example, offering assets to house Wi-Fi equipment promotes fixed broadband in the county.
Action 4 – Facilitate provider meetings. Local internet service providers should be given an opportunity to discuss why services are deemed expensive and unreliable and offer suggestions on improvements for their customers. A market analysis can be performed to identify potential broadband providers and understand potential service offerings, and respective rates. Information learned may be educational for county staff to understand barriers that providers’ experience. If providers are not willing to work with the County, new providers should be given opportunities to work in Newton County. Providers can share their biggest barriers such as:
- Rights-of-Way
- Leasing Pole Attachments
- Permits
Responsible Parties
- Judge Weeks should appoint the point of contact with input from the Commissioners Court.
- The point of contact will be responsible for updating the website with needed content. Oversight will be by Judge Weeks.
- The point of contact should be responsible for deploying an RFP with guidance from the Commissioners Court and Judge Weeks.
- Judge Weeks, county commissioners, and local internet service providers scheduled to do work in the County or wanting to do work in the County can be included in the discussion. Also, RDOF providers, Charter Communications and LTD Broadband, should be included.
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