FLOYDADA, TX – Floyd County needs help to bridge the digital divide, referring to the lack of reliable high-speed internet, but a new statewide map appears to eliminate the ability to access government funding across the 900 square mile region.
On Thursday, Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar released the Texas Broadband Development Map, utilizing data collected from internet service providers (ISPs) to show the availability of various types of high-speed internet access across the state.
A small portion of the county is classified as “served,” defined as a location where the max speed is greater than or equal to 100 megabits per second (Mbps) downloads and 20 Mbps uploads (100/20). Those areas in the county that have at least 25 Mbps download speeds and 3 Mbps upload speeds (25/3), are considered to be “underserved.” Finally, any location with less than 25/3 is considered “unserved.”
“For this initial batch of data,” Hegar explained, “we leaned heavily on coverage information provided by ISPs, and we followed federal guidance for speed and eligibility. However, the ISP advertised speeds submitted to us don’t necessarily match test speeds on the ground, which is a prime example of the types of flaws that are now more apparent in the federal mapping process and in the definition of broadband services. This is most apparent when you review the speed range layer of the map and see significant areas of the state ineligible for funding under state law but that clearly have insufficient high-speed broadband service to be competitive in today’s modern world.”
Since the map data shows a total of 2,096 households in the county and 1,469 with “served” speeds available, more than 70 percent of the population have access to high-speed internet – and that’s where the problem arises. 
“The Texas map is an interactive tool that identifies areas of the state that are eligible for funding broadband expansion projects as defined by state law,” Hegar adds. “State law defines a designated area as eligible for funding if less than 80 percent of serviceable locations have access to internet at speeds of 25 Mbps downstream and 3 Mbps upstream.”
Since only 29.15 percent of Floyd County is “underserved,” it cannot qualify as a designated area, but Hegar says he understands.
“There will be multiple opportunities to challenge the accuracy of the data, and I encourage the public, stakeholders and legislators, as well as service providers and other vendors, to engage with us on the Texas map so we have the most accurate information available.”
Floyd County Judge Marty Lucke is Chairman of the Governor’s Broadband Development Council, tasked with completing the state broadband plan that will qualify Texas for access to federal funding and help bridge the connectivity gap for rural Texans.
See the interactive map here: Texas Broadband Development Map
