Texas’ effort to close the digital divide is getting a boost after the state’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program came in £2 million under budget, officials announced this week.
The extra funds are expected to give the Texas Broadband Development Office (BDO) more flexibility to expand high-speed Internet access to communities that have long struggled with connectivity.
A spokesperson for the BDO said the savings reflect careful planning: “We have focused on strategic deployment and prioritisation, ensuring that every dollar is used to maximise the impact of broadband expansion for Texas residents.”
A key factor in the saving programme’s success has been working with private sector partners. Internet service providers, infrastructure developers, and technology vendors have all played a role in bringing the programme to life. By combining public funding with private expertise, the state has been able to build networks faster than if relying solely on government resources.
Texas’ BEAD Program is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s “Internet for All” initiative and is funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
U.S. secretary of commerce Gina Raimondo commented at the time, “A reliable Internet connection is essential for access to jobs, health care, and education. Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Department of Commerce is helping ensure that everyone in Texas has access to quality, affordable high-speed Internet.”
Earlier this year, the program underwent significant reforms under the Trump administration, shifting toward “technology neutrality” by de-prioritising fibre and diverting funding to satellite and terrestrial solutions.
SpaceX’s Starlink is set to benefit from $300 million in federal funds, with Ohio receiving $51.6 million – the largest single allocation, and other states, including Washington and Wisconsin, awarded several million dollars each.
Critics have raised concerns that the shift toward satellite funding could overwhelm the program with applications, potentially slowing investment in fibre and terrestrial networks.
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