Overview
The Tyler County, TX Broadband Team has completed its community technology assessment. The results of the assessment can be found by clicking the symbol for each of the sections below. The Solutions sector includes recommended actions the community can implement to improve the broadband and technology ecosystem at a local level. It should be noted that much of the assessment was conducted during the global COVID-19 pandemic. This worldwide event likely impacted many of the metrics included in this assessment.
Connected Infrastructure in Tyler County, Texas
Broadband access refers to the infrastructure that enables a high-speed internet connection. There are two primary types of broadband connections: fixed and mobile.
Fixed broadband is delivered to a user via several technology platforms including cable, digital subscriber line (DSL) over their phone line, fiber optics, and fixed wireless. Fixed broadband is designed for stationary use at a fixed location such as a home, business, or institution. From one location, however, fixed broadband service is often broadcast as a Wi-Fi network to connect nearby devices.
The following map shows where broadband is available in Tyler County.
Recommended Actions
Objective
Only one-third of Tyler County households have access to broadband speeds of 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload, which is the FCC definition of broadband. Even fewer have access to speeds of 100/10 Mbps. Committing county resources to improve broadband access, adoption, and use will emphasize the importance of broadband for the residents.
With Rural Development Opportunity Fund (RDOF) money potentially covering unserved areas, Tyler County can change the broadband landscape for its residents, businesses, K-12, and agricultural entities, and potentially increase economic development in the area.
Charter Communications may receive up to $12,462,845 for new broadband services
LTD Broadband may receive up to $225,552
Actions
Action 1 - Establish an advocate to handle the business of broadband in Tyler County.
Currently, there is no office or person to call to discuss broadband. Money is coming in from the America Rescue Plan and the Rural Opportunity Development Fund, and could potentially come from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which includes the Digital Equity Act. Broadband vendors will need to understand the county’s processes to do business, and relationships will need to be established.
Duties of the Advocate include:
- Deploying Requests for Quotes (RFQs) for services needed regarding broadband.
- Reporting to Judge Blanchette and the County Commissioners on updates of broadband activity in the county. This includes activity generated from RDOF as well as other grants, loans, and subsidies the County may seek.
- Establishing relationships with current internet service providers and negotiating services the County needs.
- Establishing relationships with RDOF winners, which include Charter Communications and LTD Broadband.
- Facilitating community meetings and collaborating with local anchor institutions on broadband-related matters.
- Establishing a relationship with Tyler County’s U.S. Congressman, Brian Babin, and his staff. Federal legislators can be an important advocate when applying for federal grants, loans, and subsidies. Representative Babin has an office in the Tyler County Courthouse in Woodville and should be used as a resource whenever possible. His office number is 409-331-8066.
Action 2 - Adding a line item in the budget will assure that attention is being given to broadband and provide checkpoints as internet service is being delivered to the county. When an office for the advocate is established, salary and an operating budget will be needed.
A dedicated broadband advocate can focus on broadband and engage with local providers and RDOF winners. This will also bring additional eyes and community knowledge to the process which will benefit the entire community. Working with providers helps avoid duplication of efforts, and ensures that essential services are provided to the community.
Responsible Parties
The broadband advocate should be established immediately by Judge Blanchette and the Commissioners Court.
Resources
Connected Nation – Connected Nation supports communities in broadband planning, deployment, and digital inclusion: https://connectednation.org/about
Governors Start 2021 by Expanding Access to Broadband: https://www.nga.org/news/commentary/governors-expanding-access-broadband-2021/
Objective
To reduce the cost of deployment in Tyler County and minimize the barriers to broadband deployment, the county should make an inventory of local assets that can be used for infrastructure deployment. By inventorying and sharing this data with providers, the county can reduce the costs associated with a network buildout. Even with RDOF money coming into Tyler County, it could be years before better access and speeds are available. These are some practical solutions that can be implemented to help right now.
Actions
Action 1 - Deploy an RFQ for a vertical asset inventory list and identify potential barriers to broadband deployment in Tyler County.
Conducting an asset inventory, including a field validation audit, can help expand services in a community as well as validate areas where service may or may not be available. A field validation audit can provide granular mapping to more accurately visualize the broadband landscape, while an asset inventory audit can place the county in a position to develop public-private partnerships with local providers.
Assets include:
- Anchor tenants
- Antennas
- Building rooftops
- Light poles
- Towers the cities or County may own.
Barriers include:
- Road easements
- Pole owner leases
- Tyler County policies and regulations
Counties have assets to provide and broadband providers need to deploy their services.
Action 2 – Tyler County needs to update its county webpage for bids and proposals to make it easier to do business with the County.
Making it easier for vendors and citizens to do business in Tyler County may speed up broadband deployment. Tyler County already lists current RFQs/RFPs at http://www.co.tyler.tx.us/page/tyler.BidsProposals, so this would be a natural place to include additional information such as:
- Whom to contact for broadband information in the County.
- Downloadable forms vendors will need to fill out.
- Any regulations vendors will need to follow, such as a “dig once policy.” A dig once policy requires public or private excavators to coordinate with local authorities to install fiber or conduit whenever ground is broken on a public right-of-way.
Action 3 - Discuss with local providers the need to expand broadband services and determine why areas have not already received service. If providers are unwilling to offer higher speed plans, new providers should be given the opportunity.
With increased resources and competition in Tyler County, providers may be willing to discuss providing services to under-resourced areas and increasing internet speeds to locations with service, but inadequate speeds.
Some questions to consider asking providers include:
- Is there an installation fee for residential service and, if so, what is that fee?
- What are the maximum download and upload speeds offered on your network for residential service?
- Are the speeds guaranteed or “best effort”?
Connected Nation can provide you with a list of sample questions for providers, at your request.
Responsible Parties
The Broadband Advocate and Judge Blanchette should organize the initiatives
Resources
Connected Nation - Connected Nation supports communities in broadband planning, deployment, and digital inclusion: https://connectednation.org/abouthttps://connectednation.org/about
Examples of one Texas town meeting residents’ broadband needs: https://ilsr.org/how-mcallen-texas-quietly-built-residents-a-free-wi-fi-network-over-the-summer/
Governors Start 2021 by Expanding Access to Broadband: https://www.nga.org/news/commentary/governors-expanding-access-broadband-2021/
Removing barriers to broadband expansion: http://www.connectmycommunity.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Local-Policy-Guide.pdf
Examining state broadband programs: https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/reports/2020/02/how-states-are-expanding-broadband-access
Becoming Broadband Ready: https://nextcenturycities.org/becoming-broadband-ready/
American Library Association - PLA, AT&T team up to bring digital literacy training to families: http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2021/05/pla-att-team-bring-digital-literacy-training-families
Objective
With only one-third of the county having fixed broadband at home, it is important to have places in the community for residents to access the internet and learn digital skills.
Actions
Action 1 – Identify gaps and develop a plan to improve the availability of public computers in the community. A plan of action should include the development of new public computer centers, the installation of additional equipment within existing facilities, and the expansion of access to existing facilities (e.g., longer hours at the library, centers open on the weekends, etc.), where possible.
Expanding access to public Wi-Fi can be done at:
- Libraries – The Allan Shivers Library & Museum does have some free Wi-Fi, but computers shut off at 4:45 pm Mondays – Fridays and are only available until 1:45 pm on Saturdays. This may leave a lot of people without opportunity after work or school.
- Public schools
- Coffee shops
- Public government buildings such as the Woodville Community Center
- Tyler County Chamber of Commerce
- Senior centers
Action 2 – Intentionally expand Wi-Fi and/or hotspots to the under-resourced populations at a discounted rate or free of charge. By partnering with local organizations the County can identify groups most impacted by the lack of public computer access.
Responsible Parties
- The Broadband Advocate and Judge Blanchette should organize the initiatives
- Local providers and RDOF recipients
- Superintendents from Woodville ISD, Warren ISD, Ivanhoe ISD, Colmesneil ISD, and Chester ISD
- Tyler Chamber of Commerce, local non-profit organizations, and social service providers
Resources
Becoming Broadband Ready: https://nextcenturycities.org/becoming-broadband-ready/
American Library Association - PLA, AT&T team up to bring digital literacy training to families: http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2021/05/pla-att-team-bring-digital-literacy-training-families
AARP Joins with Nonprofit to Teach Tech to Older Adults: AARP
Connected Nation Initiative: https://www.driveyourlearning.org/
Telehealth information: https://connectednation.org/programs/telehealth-summit
Digital Learn Curriculum: Public Library Association
Objective
The agriculture industry is going through a technological revolution requiring producers to implement the latest technology to remain competitive. These technologies typically require robust connectivity, which is generally least available in America’s rural communities. The survey responses indicate the agriculture sector is active on the internet, but they have poor access and speeds.
Actions
Action 1 - By recognizing the need of today’s agricultural producers for high-speed internet, a group of producers could form a special committee to address agriculture needs, such as:
- Forming a cooperative partnership with broadband providers to bring services to their operations. Landowners may have assets or infrastructure that could be utilized for fixed wireless broadband.
- Working directly with RDOF winners making sure farms, ranches, and all agricultural operations have internet coverage for their entire acreage.
- Providing information on available grants and subsidies to help bring internet to agricultural areas and staying on top of information that will be coming from the newly created state broadband office.
Action 2 – The agriculture special committee should establish relationships with current providers to encourage them to deliver needed internet services to the ag community, such as better wireless services that would allow them to rely less on their mobile services. RDOF money will be important for Tyler County, but some results may be six years away. By partnering with local providers now, the ag community can make sure providers understand their needs. Agricultural facilities may also have vertical assets that they can share with provider companies.
This is a good time to seek out those conversations since competition between internet providers in Tyler County will increase which will prompt current providers to negotiate their offerings.
Responsible Parties
The broadband advocate can form this special committee of local producers and host conversations to develop a plan for better internet access. Local internet providers will be very important in this process. The local Ag-extension office would be an important resource. Jacob Spivey is the local County Extension Agent and County Coordinator, Mr. Spivey’s telephone number is 409-283-8284.
Resources
Local internet providers and RDOF winners, Charter Communications and LTD Broadband.
Texas Grant Watch: https://texas.grantwatch.com/grant-search.php
Objective
Resources such as E-Rate, the Emergency Connectivity Fund, and TEACT should be utilized to their fullest for students in Tyler County. Closing the digital divide for rural students allows for equity, access, and opportunity equal to their counterparts in more urban school districts.
Actions
Action 1 – Each school district should look closely into a better internet rate when possible.
Although the survey shows only 36% E-Rate participation by Tyler County school districts, after reviewing this information through Connect K-12, it appears Region 5 ESC has filed on behalf of all 5 school districts. Each school district would be wise to understand their pricing. Chester ISD and Colmesneil ISD districts are meeting or exceeding a bandwidth of 1Mbps/student, which is the FCC’s goal/recommendation. The remaining three districts: Spurger ISD, Woodville ISD, and Warren ISD, have less bandwidth and therefore slower service per student. However, when you look more closely at monthly costs, they vary quite a bit. For example, Chester ISD, only has 194 students and pays $1,450/monthly for 1 Gbps service. Whereas Spurger ISD, just 30 miles away, has 401 students and pays $1,400 for only 200Mbps service. Chester ISD is getting much better service for only $50 more a month. Spurger ISD should be eligible for a similar rate. Being able to compare rates can help ISDs negotiate. Local providers may offer better rates and speeds for less money.
E-Rate reimbursement levels are based on socioeconomic need, per the Free & Reduced Lunch program percentages in each school district.
Action 2 - School districts should understand the broadband opportunities available to them, TEACT offers free help.
TEACT is a statewide initiative led by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to support local education agencies that seek to provide home-based broadband internet access to their students. The information below is copied from https://www.omniapartners.com/publicsector/resources/state-specific-resources/tea-connect-texas-program:
- TEACT facilitates the acquisition of fixed lines through bulk purchase at the State level, taking advantage of discounted rates which Region 4 is negotiating on behalf of Texas school systems
- TEACT facilitates the fixed line installation process for LEAs by working as a liaison between the LEAs, the ISPs and eligible families to ensure successful and expedited access to service
- TEACT provides a robust implementation and customer support team for LEAs who want to participate in a home-based broadband roll-out program in their district but who may not have the available personnel or resources to administer such a program themselves
E-Rate Information from Connected Nation: https://connectk12.org/.
Action 3 – Each superintendent of Woodville ISD, Warren ISD, Spurger ISD, Colmesneil ISD, and Chester ISD, along with the IT directors and librarians, should review the funds they are currently using and apply for all available funds. These funds may include E-Rate, Emergency Connectivity Fund, and TEACT.
Responsible Parties
Superintendents of each listed public school district. The IT department of each ISD, and the school librarians.
Resources
Explore school district connectivity and pricing: https://connectk12.org/districts/140776
Emergency Connectivity Fund - Although applications are closed, this information was sent out to County leaders when it opened. Opened June 29, 2021, Closed August 13, 2021:
https://www.pwbts.net/emergency-connectivity-fund/
TEA Connect Texas (TEACT) - TEACT will partner with districts and low-cost, high-speed internet providers to connect students to the internet who have access to existing broadband infrastructure:
https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/covid/Operation-Connectivity-LEA-Briefing-Webinar-PPT.pdf
AT&T offers community investments to bring broadband to more Americans:
https://about.att.com/story/2021/digital_divide.html
Texas Grant Watch: https://texas.grantwatch.com/grant-search.php
U.S. Department of Education approves Texas’ American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ARP ESSER):