Jul
9
Written by:
William Lutz
7/9/2009 12:12 PM
Uncle Sam is passing out gifts, including some that could come to Texas.
Commissioner of Agriculture Todd Staples wants to make sure that Texas is prepared to take advantage of federal plans to improve broadband telecommunications service to rural Texas.
Staples announced yesterday the creation of the
Texas Broadband Task Force, which will meet and report back to Staples and the
Public Utility Commission. The task force has membership from all parts of the telecommunications industry as well as representation from effected governmental units such as the commission and the Texas Municipal League as well as from the governor’s office and Legislature.
One of the task force’s first tasks is to help Texas qualify for a United States Department of Agriculture grant to map the availability of broadband services. The Public Utility Commission issues a biennial
Scope of Competition report, containing many useful statistics, but the broadband mapping grant is intended to go into greater detail. The Texas Department of Agriculture has issued a Request for Proposal to identify a non-profit consultant to do the mapping.
Texas Department of Agriculture spokesman Bryan Black confirmed that, once the mapping is completed, the task force will seek ways of addressing and deficiencies noted. The federal stimulus package contains some funds for expanding rural broadband, and one of the task force’s task is to analyze and recommend ways Texas can qualify and use that money.
Representatives of the state’s cable and telephone providers praised the creation of the task force.
“The Texas Cable Association and its members look forward to working with Commissioner Staples as part of the Texas Broadband Task Force to make certain that the incredible economic and social benefits of broadband connectivity are extended to Texas families and small businesses in all areas of the state,” said Texas Cable Association President Dale Laine. “Cable has led the way nationally in making broadband available to about 92 percent of all households. It is critical that we identify all Texans that are left out of the Internet revolution – those who lack a computer or skills to access the Internet, and those who live in areas where broadband is unavailable.”Said
Texas Telephone Association Chairman Robert Hunt: “I anticipate that the $7.2 billion appropriated from the Recovery Act and efforts of the Texas Broadband Task Force working in conjunction with the TDA will expand broadband access to unserved and underserved communities across Texas.”