The pandemic has been hard for everyone, but especially for those who don鈥檛 have dependable access to high-speed internet. One thing that might have helped 鈥� a statewide broadband plan. Texas is among just six states that don鈥檛 have such a plan, even though over 2 million Texans lack access to high-speed internet, according to the state comptroller鈥檚 office.
A group of state recently to Gov. Greg Abbott calling for a statewide broadband plan. State Rep. is a Republican from Lufkin, Texas. He told Texas Standard that many who lack broadband access live in rural areas.
鈥淐oronavirus has really highlighted and laid bare the challenges that many rural Texans face in terms of connectivity,鈥� Ashby said.
Making broadband both widely available and affordable are among the goals of those who signed the letter, Ashby said.
鈥淭here was a study done here in the deep East Texas region,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he people that do have broadband in limited parts of this 12-county region, they鈥檙e paying 400% more for their Internet than many of our urban counterparts.鈥�
Ashby said funding to support extending broadband into remote areas exists at the federal level. But because Texas doesn鈥檛 have a plan, the state isn鈥檛 able to access that money.
鈥淛ust by us enacting a plan, we will see our stature improve in terms of the possibility of being awarded grants,鈥� he said.
Ashby says private sector spending would also be part of extending broadband service.