Texas Tri-County Broadband Team helps local communities achieve better broadband connections
Brewster, Jeff Davis, and Presidio Counties, Texas (October 21, 2021) – Boasting natural wonders and historical landmarks, Brewster, Jeff Davis, and Presidio counties are the perfect trio to bring better broadband to West Texas. The Tri-County Broadband Alliance, composed of representatives from Brewster County, Jeff Davis County, and Presidio County, recently completed a community-wide broadband engagement designed to determine the technology access, adoption, and use rates across nine, key community sectors. In partnership with Connected Nation Texas (CN Texas), nearly 700 residential surveys were collected across all three counties between January 2021 and June 2021. This data informed a Technology Action Plan which CN Texas presented earlier this fall. This broadband project, in addition to twenty-six others throughout the state, was possible thanks to the Texas Rural Funders.
Key findings from Brewster County include:
- 72.5% of households report subscribing to fixed broadband service, with 19.4% saying they have no internet connection at home
- Residential respondents indicate on average their internet connection costs about $77.14 per month
- 84.5% of residents are interested in additional home internet options
Key findings from Jeff Davis County include:
- 65% of households report subscribing to fixed broadband service, with 16% saying they have no internet connection at home
- Residential respondents indicate on average their internet connection costs about $88.59 per month
- 90.5% of residents are interested in additional home internet options
Key findings from Presidio County include:
- 76.6% of households report subscribing to fixed broadband service, with 17% saying they have no internet connection at home
- Residential respondents indicate on average their internet connection costs about $83.11 per month
- 94% of residents are interested in additional home internet options
“In partnership with Connected Nation Texas, Brewster, Jeff Davis, and Presidio counties were able to collect detailed data about the state of broadband connectivity,” said Peggy O’Brien, Local Governments Manager at Rio Grande Council of Governments. “The data includes underserved and unserved areas, digital knowhow, and customer satisfaction rates. Armed with this information, a community action plan, and supportive community partners, Brewster, Jeff Davis, and Presidio counties are, now more than ever, equipped to access digital equity. Broadband contributes to community growth, education, economic development, and overall quality of life. Promoting the importance of broadband access, affordability, adoption, and use within our rural communities remains a chief priority for the Rio Grande Council of Governments.”
The following recommendations have been made for improving broadband access and adoption in Brewster, Jeff Davis, and Presidio counties:
- Centralize broadband leadership in the Tri-County area through a broadband council known locally as the Tri-County Broadband Alliance
- Leverage community assets and strategic partnerships to increase broadband access in unserved and underserved areas of the Tri-County region.
- Promote free and reduced-cost services in the Tri-County area to make broadband accessible to the public through greater adoption and use rates.
“Brewster, Jeff Davis, and Presidio counties are equipped with the tools to increase broadband access and speeds in the region through infrastructure development and improvement projects,” said Broadband Solutions Manager Sierra Sees of CN Texas. “The community boasts supportive and informed community partners who will no doubt continue their work to close the digital divide in the region. It’s been such a privilege to work with excited and passionate broadband advocates.”
To date, the Connected Community Engagement Program has helped more than 650 communities with similar broadband pains.
To view the full results of the Brewster County broadband surveys, check out: https://connectednation.org/brewster-county-texas/
To view the full results of the Jeff Davis County broadband surveys, check out: https://connectednation.org/jeff-davis-county-texas/
To view the full results of the Presidio County broadband surveys, check out: https://connectednation.org/presidio-county-texas/
To learn more about the Connected Community Engagement Program, visit: https://connectednation.org/connect-my-community/
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About Connected Nation Texas: CN Texas is the statewide subsidiary of the national nonprofit Connected Nation. Our mission is to improve lives by providing innovative solutions that expand access to and increase the adoption and use of broadband (high-speed internet) and its related technologies for all people. Everyone belongs in a Connected Nation.
Connected Nation works with consumers, local community leaders, states, technology providers, and foundations to develop and implement technology expansion programs with core competencies centered on a mission to improve digital inclusion for people and places previously underserved or overlooked. For more information, please visit: connectednation.org and follow Connected Nation on Facebook and Twitter.
About the Texas Rural Funders: The mission of the Texas Rural Funders (TRF) is to partner with rural Texans to achieve their vision of prosperity and wellbeing. The group’s strategies recognize and are informed by rural expertise and assets. The TRFC leverages local, philanthropic, state, and federal resources to collaborate on projects, support local capacity and leadership, share research, convene stakeholders, and engage in advocacy. More information can be found on the TRF webpage at: https://texasruralfunders.org/