Gov. Abbott visits Harlingen to celebrate Charter Communications’ $1.3 billion broadband expansion 

The investment will provide symmetrical and multi-gigabit speeds, says Charter Communications, along with an expansion of the company’s fiber optic network in rural areas.

BY DAYNA REYES ● BROADBAND ON THE BORDER ● DECEMBER 1, 2023 - View ARTICLE ONLINE

HARLINGEN, Texas – Gov. Greg Abbott visited Harlingen on Thursday to help celebrate a $1.3 billion statewide investment in broadband by Charter Communications.

Texas – Gov. Greg Abbott visited Harlingen on Thursday to help celebrate a $1.3 billion statewide investment in broadband by Charter Communications.

The event took place at Texas State Technical College. Among the VIPS present were Harlingen Mayor Norma Sepulveda and Texas State Technical College Regent Lizzy de la Garza Putegnat, a Harlingen resident.

Abbott said the $1.3 billion investment would include upgrading and expanding Charter’s broadband infrastructure and technology across Texas. As a result, he said, Charter Communications would deliver symmetrical and multi-gigabit speeds, while also funding rural broadband expansion for unserved and underserved homes and small businesses across the state.

“Texas is poised to bring broadband to every corner of the state, but we can’t do that without our industry partners. Today’s $1.3 billion investment in infrastructure and technology from Charter will help bring broadband access to more Texans,” Abbott said.

“With this new investment, Texans who live across the big and beautiful reaches of our great state will have the same internet access that those in big cities do. That is a critical tool to keep our economy booming, children learning, and families connected to the best healthcare facilities in the world.”

Abbott thanked Charter, which includes Spectrum, for “investing in the future of Texas, and for all the work they do right here in the Rio Grande Valley.”

He said 96 percent of households in Cameron County now have access to broadband. “We are just months away from everybody in RGV from being able to watch college football streaming no matter wherever you may be,” he said.

Charter was represented at the announcement by Tom Chiang, group vive president, Adam Falk, senior vice president of government affairs, and Todd Baxter, vice president of government affairs.

“We’ve invested over $150 million in the Rio Grande Valley since 2018,” Charter Communications’ Regional Vice President of Government Affairs Todd Baxter said. “And there’s more to come.”

According to a Charter Communications press release, the company will provide “symmetrical and multi-gigabit speeds” throughout Texas by 2025. The press release said the $1.3 billion investment includes $620 million to expand the company’s fiber optic network to more than 140,000 previously unserved and underserved homes and small businesses in over 50 Texas counties. “This part of the investment is offset by the nearly $200 million in federal, state and local grants,” the press release said.

In a posting on Facebook, Mayor Sepulveda said: “Today, I had the pleasure of joining Charter Communications for a special announcement of their $1.3 billion investment right here in the RGV. As one of the nation’s leading connectivity companies, Charter is helping close the digital divide in South Texas by expanding their network and upgrading their existing footprint to symmetrical, multi-gigabit internet speeds. I thank Governor Greg Abbott for speaking on the significance of a fast, reliable internet connection that evolves with consumer needs."

TSTC regent de la Garza Putegnat welcomed Charter’s leadership to Harlingen. 

“We want to thank you for your innovative and groundbreaking solutions that have really transformed the telecommunications industry. And to be completely honest, you couldn’t have chosen a better place to hold this announcement,” De la Garza Putegnat said. 

“This announcement is about opportunity for all and here at TSTC our mission is to provide opportunities for all, to provide more and better opportunities.”

De la Garza Putegnat added: “We knew that broadband was important, but it wasn’t until COVID hit that we realized it was vital for the success of students and for our employers. A lot of times it wasn’t a lack of will or ganas as we know it here. It was a lack of connectivity. And thanks to Charter and this development that will no longer be the case. And we are so excited for this announcement.”

The Council for South Texas Economic Progress provided this statement about Charter’s investment: “Great things (are) happening in the Rio South Texas region. COSTEP congratulates the City of Harlingen and the surrounding area for this great public-private partnership with Charter Communications. Today’s announcement with Governor Gregg Abbott celebrates the build out of an extensive expansion of connectivity. This partnership exemplifies the excellent connectivity available in the region and a collaborative effort.”