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Outreach: News and Events
Monthly Roundtables
(All times are in Central Time.)
- Jan. 28 at 3 p.m. – Industry Roundtable (Teams)
- Feb. 6 at 10 a.m. – Local Government and Community Roundtable (Teams)
Upcoming Event
- Jan. 10-24 – Submission window for Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) challenge rebuttals
Broadband Development Office (BDO) Releases Texas Digital Opportunity Hub 2.0
The Texas Digital Opportunity Hub, launched in April 2024, supports the Texas Digital Opportunity Plan (TDOP) (PDF, 32MB) by providing users with local digital opportunity data and resources.
The BDO announces the release of Hub 2.0, featuring more than 30 updates to the original hub that enhance user experience with improved accessibility, a simplified layout and better readability. Key among those updates is an enhanced Digital Opportunity Resource Finder, which enables users to locate digital opportunity-related organizations and services within their communities. Users can also add, edit and download data and resources directly from the Hub.
This release reflects thorough user research and feedback, prioritizing stakeholder needs within Texas’ digital opportunity ecosystem. Further announcements will encourage users to maximize the Hub’s data and information, coinciding with an anticipated release of digital opportunity grant funding in early 2025.
Bringing Online Opportunities to Texas (BOOT) II Awardees Notified
The BOOT II Program aims to enhance internet access across the state. Over the past two months, the BDO sent grant agreements to awardees in 22 of the 24 selected counties. Those awards total almost $700 million in state and federal funds and will connect more than 93,000 businesses and residential locations.
Among the selected counties, 16 will receive fiber internet infrastructure to every eligible location, ensuring high-speed connections for residents, businesses and community anchor institutions. The remaining six counties will implement hybrid solutions, providing a mix of wireless and fiber technologies to improve access. Two counties did not receive applications that were adequate for an award; however, locations in both counties remain eligible for other funding sources, including the upcoming BEAD Program.
Awardee details will be posted on the BDO website once all grant agreements have been signed.
Texas BEAD Challenge Phase Sees More Than 3,000 Submissions; Rebuttal Process Now Open
During the recent challenge submission phase of the BEAD Program, the BDO received more than 3,000 submissions covering more than half a million locations across the state. The 76 participating challengers included internet service providers, units of local government and nonprofit organizations. The top challenge types included availability and planned service.
The BDO will accept challenge rebuttals from affected providers from Jan. 10-24. Visit the BEAD Program webpage to access Challenge Process support and guidance materials.
Stay tuned for more updates on the review process!
Texas Broadband Pole Replacement Program: Reimbursement Applications Under Review
The BDO accepted applications for reimbursement from the Texas Broadband Pole Replacement Program from Jan. 6-10. Office staff are evaluating reimbursement requests and expect to notify awardees by early March. The Texas Broadband Pole Replacement Program Dashboard provides real-time information regarding the administration and availability of program funds.
If the pole replacement fund has a remaining balance following this round of reimbursement, the BDO will publish a subsequent Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) to obligate the entire fund.
State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) approved the BDO’s State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program application on Nov. 21, 2024. The BDO may now request access to $55.6 million allocated to the state to implement the TDOP and competitively award funding to eligible applicants. The approved application lists three activities to support implementation:
- Establish a Digital Opportunity Grant Program.
- Grow and sustain a Digital Opportunity Ecosystem.
- Maintain a living Digital Opportunity Plan.
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