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State Rep. Brooks Landgraf (R-Odessa) is fighting to expand broadband access in rural West Texas communities.
“We need a robust statewide network that can carry voice, data and wireless traffic,” Landgraf said. “The coronavirus has exacerbated the already pressing need for rural communities to have reliable phone and internet service. It is essential to take proactive steps immediately to ensure rural Texans have access to telework and essential services, such as remote learning and telemedicine.”
The Texas Universal Service Fund, a resource for rural Texas telecommunications infrastructure improvements, was established to help telecommunications providers provide service at a reasonable rate in high-cost rural areas. Without action, the fund could become insolvent as soon as January.
“This is an opportunity to kill two birds with one stone,” Landgraf said. “The legislature is being forced into action because the fund is running out of money, but part of the problem is that the USF can’t be used for broadband. It’s time to take a fresh look at the statute, get the USF solvent and ensure it can be used to provide broadband access in the rural parts of Texas.”
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