Rural Texas may lose out on billions in broadband infrastructure funding due to federal regulations

Sustainable Development Goals and Texas’ Broadband Expansion

Introduction

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Texas’ Broadband Expansion Efforts

1. Texas was awarded $3.3 billion in federal money last month to expand broadband infrastructure across the state.
2. The state also allocated $1.5 billion from its own funds for this purpose.
3. This investment aims to address the needs of over 7 million disconnected residents and bring Texas up to par with the rest of the country in terms of technology.

Concerns for Rural Communities

• Rural advocates and owners of smaller telecommunication companies are worried that the communities they serve will be excluded from this investment.
• The regulations require each telecommunication company applying for a grant to provide a letter of credit from a major bank covering at least 25% of the proposed project.
• This requirement poses a challenge for rural companies, as they may not have access to major banks, hindering their efforts to provide broadband access in their areas.

The Role of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program aligns with several SDGs:

1. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – The program aims to bridge the digital divide and improve infrastructure in underserved areas.
2. SDG 4: Quality Education – Access to broadband enables remote learning and educational opportunities for students in rural communities.
3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – Improved broadband connectivity can stimulate economic growth and create job opportunities in rural areas.

Ensuring Inclusion and Sustainability

• While the requirements aim to protect the federal investment, rural providers argue that they may disenfranchise them.
• Public-private partnerships and guidance from the state are crucial to ensure the success and long-term sustainability of broadband projects in rural communities.

Challenges Faced by Rural Providers

• Rural providers, like Totelcom and Etex Telephone Cooperative, face difficulties in meeting the requirements for federal grants.
• These providers may struggle to obtain letters of credit from major banks, potentially limiting the size and scope of their projects.
• Long-term sustainability and funding for maintenance are additional concerns for rural providers.

Conclusion

The Texas Broadband Development Office must submit its five-year plan to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration by August 28 for funding.

To ensure the success of broadband expansion efforts, it is crucial to address the challenges faced by rural providers and prioritize inclusivity and sustainability.

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SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The article discusses the issue of expanding broadband infrastructure in rural and underserved communities in Texas. This aligns with SDG 9, which aims to build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation. Additionally, the article mentions the need for public-private partnerships and collaboration between different stakeholders, which relates to SDG 17, which focuses on partnerships for the goals.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure
• SDG 9.3: Increase access to information and communication technology
• SDG 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development

The article highlights the need to expand broadband infrastructure in rural areas to improve access to information and communication technology (ICT). This aligns with SDG 9.1, which aims to develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure. Additionally, the article emphasizes the importance of partnerships and collaboration between different stakeholders to achieve the goal of expanding broadband access, which relates to SDG 17.16.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Number of rural communities with improved broadband access
• Percentage of population with access to broadband internet
• Number of public-private partnerships established for broadband expansion

The article does not explicitly mention specific indicators. However, progress towards the identified targets can be measured by tracking the number of rural communities that have improved broadband access, the percentage of the population with access to broadband internet, and the number of public-private partnerships established for broadband expansion.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: texastribune.org

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