Digital Divide

The cable industry is dedicated to closing the digital divide by promoting the benefits of broadband, encouraging families to connect, offering programs to make broadband more affordable, and eliminating other adoption barriers families may face.

IN THE NEWS - June 26, 2023:  Biden-Harris Administration Announces State Allocations for $42.45 Billion High-Speed Internet Grant Program as Part of Investing in America Agenda - Learn more


Statement by TCA President Walt Baum regarding this announcement:

“The Texas cable industry, which serves nearly 5 million cable broadband subscribers across the state, applauds today’s announcement that our state will receive more than $3 billion in Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) grants. This tremendous investment, along with the $1.5 billion recently allocated by the Texas Legislature for broadband expansion in Texas, will play a significant role in helping close the digital divide, once-and-for-all. In order to best maximize these funds, we look forward to working with state leaders to ensure unserved and underserved communities are prioritized for connectivity and that strong guardrails are established to protect against wasteful abuse. Texas’ cable broadband providers have a proven track record of delivering connectivity on time and on budget and remain committed to helping bring high-speed networks to every corner of our state.”



See also: Texas to receive $3.3 billion in federal funds to boost broadband expansion efforts - Texas Tribune, June 26, 2023

Cable's Dedication to Closing the Divide

Cable operators have spent billions of their private capital to build and continually upgrade broadband networks across the country. In 2021, cable providers nationally invested $18.5 billion on infrastructure and networks, part of the $178 billion spent from 2012 to 2021.


U.S. Census Bureau data finds that nearly 2.8 million Texas households (about 7 million individuals) lack broadband access while another 23% of the state’s population has limited ability to fully take advantage of broadband’s benefits, according to the Texas Comptroller’s office.


The need to get more individuals online accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic, when internet access and adoption became critical in order to keep schools, businesses and the economy operating.


Cable expanded its broadband adoption efforts and initiatives, as well as engaged in both state and federal government programs to close the digital divide, such as the Affordable Connectivity Program, which has connected more than 1.1 million Texas households through the end of 2022.


In Texas, the cable industry in 2021 supported the development of the state’s Broadband Development Office and provided input in the drafting of the BDO’s first Texas Broadband Plan. Providers also are examining the FCC’s first proposed National Broadband Map to ensure that the Texas data is accurate so that the state will get its fair allocation of federal funding to expand broadband in unserved and underserved communities.

TCA Members Support a Broadband Plan that Focuses On:

  • Areas of greatest need – Directing funds to unserved areas of the state that have no access (or no planned access) to wireline or fixed wireless broadband.


  • Grant applicant quality – Ensuring that applicants for federal broadband grants can demonstrate the ability to build, operate and manage a broadband effort. TCA cable members have decades of experience managing materials costs, supply chain challenges, labor shortages and other issues that may arise when building out sophisticated broadband networks.


  • Being technology neutral – Not giving preferential treatment for a technology or to a specific company.
Share by: