Public Engagement
With the goal of streamlining broadband expansion across the state, as well as to allow for feedback about connectivity needs, Texas instituted a robust external engagement process that fostered collaboration with local, regional, and Tribal entities. This stakeholder engagement included:
- 24 in-person regional meetings across rural, urban, and suburban Texas.
- The development of 12 regional working groups.
- Six subject area task forces on Economy and Workforce, Education, Business and Telecom, Health, Civic and Social, and Essential Services.
- The creation of the statewide working group to advise the task forces and regional working groups and assist with gathering data for the state Digital Opportunity Plan.
- Monthly industry and local government roundtables.
Gathering Input through Surveys
Texas used the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program planning funds to conduct a public survey in four languages: English, Spanish, Mandarin, and Vietnamese. At least one resident in each of Texas’ 254 counties completed a survey. Feedback from this survey, plus input from the working groups and task forces, informed the Texas BEAD Five-Year Action Plan.
Stakeholder Engagement
Texas conducted meetings with hundreds of stakeholders from dozens of Texas communities to share information and resources about the BEAD and Digital Equity Programs and learn about the unique challenges in each region and community of Texas.