Fort Bend County considers campaign to challenge broadband map
Published: Thu, 04/27/23
Fort Bend County considers campaign to challenge broadband map
Fort Bend County is working to improve its broadband access through grants and a potential advertising campaign.
(Courtesy Adobe Stock)
Community Impact
By Daniel Weeks
Updated
Fort Bend County commissioners are considering moves to improve county broadband infrastructure, including a prospective advertising campaign.
On April 25, the county discussed the logistics of the campaign, which would call on citizens to submit a challenge to the Federal Communications Commission National Broadband Map.
“Our message is a lot of information to try to get across to somebody driving 60 [mph] like I do down 50 [mph] freeways,” Precinct 3 Commissioner Andy Meyers joked.
Meyers requested the campaign have a social media element, saying he believes it would be easier to communicate the county’s message this way. County Judge KP George indicated people would need broadband access to see the campaign if it was strictly on social media.
Fort Bend County previously conducted a feasibility study that called for $36.8 million in improvements to the county’s broadband infrastructure. George identified broadband improvements as a priority for the county this year.
A page on the county website calls for challenges to the FCC National Broadband Map, stating challenges could grant the county eligibility for funds from the $42.45 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program.
Commissioners moved the item to a closed session to receive legal advice on the potential campaign. The amount of funding was not determined for the campaign at the public section of the meeting, and the discussion was tabled for future consideration.
Fort Bend County Commissioners Court meeting agendas and livestreamed videos can be viewed on the county’s website.