Texas Broadband Development Office grants $29M to Lower Colorado River Authority

""This grant helps us do two important things at once,""

""We can make LCRA's fiber network accessible to internet providers who want to serve rural customers, and we can expand connectivity for flood monitoring systems across the region. We already have the infrastructure in place that can be expanded to meet the growing demand. Now we're putting it to work for both broadband access and public safety.""

"Improve network access points to enable broadband providers to more easily and affordably connect to LCRA's fiber backbone and pass savings on to customers. Upgrade and expand tower sites and connectivity for flood-monitoring stations. Extend fiber capacity into rural areas where coverage gaps remain, boosting local economies and improving access to essential services."

A $29 million grant from the Texas Broadband Development Office enables the Lower Colorado River Authority to expand its fiber network and improve flood-monitoring connectivity across central Texas. The project will create additional network access points for broadband providers, upgrade and expand tower sites for flood-monitoring stations, and extend fiber capacity into underserved rural areas. Senate Bill 632 (2021) authorizes LCRA to build and operate middle-mile broadband infrastructure while allowing private providers to offer last-mile services. The grant complements Texas's $1.26 billion BEAD approval and aims to boost rural economies and public-safety communications.

Read at Telecompetitor