TCA NEWSLETTER Latest industry news in Texas and around the country. |
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CABLE BOOSTS THE CLASSROOM |
| TEXAS CREATES BROADBAND DEVELOPMENT OFFICE |
| ABBOTT CALLS SECOND SPECIAL SESSION |
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CABLE BOOSTS THE CLASSROOM |
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As Texas kids head back to school after a year of predominantly virtual learning, the environment continues to be uncertain with the COVID-19 variant on the rise. Whether students this year learn in the classroom or online, cable broadband is here to stay as an education partner.
Last year at the outbreak of the pandemic, the cable industry stepped up to expand existing low-income broadband programs and create new initiatives to get more students and families online, connecting more than 5 million U.S. families to the internet in 2020 alone.
Cable isn’t done yet – it remains committed to continuing to shrink the digital divide, whether through its own projects or by supporting those created by legislators. |
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TEXAS CREATES BROADBAND DEVELOPMENT OFFICE |
Texas’ new Broadband Development Office – created in the recent regular Texas legislative session – has hired an executive director and will be operated by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, according to a recent announcement from Comptroller Glenn Hegar.
Creation of the office was part of House Bill 5 by Rep. Trent Ashby (R-Lufkin) and Sen. Robert Nichols (R-Jacksonville), which is supported by the Texas Cable Association and its member companies. The Broadband Development Office will award grants, low-interest loans and other financial incentives to internet service providers who expand access to broadband service in underserved areas.
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ABBOTT CALLS SECOND SPECIAL SESSION |
Gov. Greg Abbott on Aug. 5 called a second 30-day special session of the Texas Legislature, which started at noon, Saturday, Aug. 7. Abbott’s agenda includes the 11 issues he designated for the first session, plus six new ones. You can find his proclamation that outlines the special session agenda here. At this time, no legislation specifically related to the cable industry is expected to be considered, but Texas Cable Association staff will be monitoring the session closely. |
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CABLE CONTINUES TO CONNECT
In cities and towns across Texas, local cable operators and their employees make their communities a better place to live. Cable companies not only make financial and in-kind donations to numerous civic and charitable organizations, but employees volunteer thousands of hours of their time each year. Check out the latest cable industry community initiatives below. |
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Disability Equality Index recognizes Altice USA as a ‘Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion’ Altice USA has been named a Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion with the Disability Equality Index (DEI). The DEI is a joint initiative between Disability:IN and the American Association for People with Disabilities (AAPD). It is a comprehensive benchmarking tool that gives U.S. businesses an objective assessment of their disability inclusion policies and practices. Read more.
Comcast’s Internet Essentials Program has now connected nearly 1 million Texans over the past 10 years Internet Essentials is the nation’s largest, most comprehensive, and most successful high-speed Internet adoption program for low-income households. Since the program launched in 2011, many improvements have been made to help further close the digital divide and give even more low-income Americans the tools and resources they need to succeed in an increasingly digital world. Working with a network of nonprofit partners across the region, Comcast has connected nearly 1 million Texans to broadband Internet at home. Read more.
Comcast celebrates opening of newest Xfinity Store in Houston Comcast recently unveiled its new Xfinity Store in Houston with a special community celebration at a brand new location. Located at 15375 Wallisville Rd. in Houston, the space features a modern retail environment that highlights the complete line of Xfinity Home and Comcast Business technology offerings, including Xfinity Mobile, Xfinity X1, Xfinity Home and Xfinity Internet. Read more. |
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Another round of small businesses in Houston to receive business resources through Comcast RISE program More than 90 small businesses owned by people of color were included in the latest round of recipients to be awarded technology, and, or marketing resources in Houston as a part of the Comcast RISE program. Recipients of this latest round of business services are part of nearly 3,700 entrepreneurs nationwide who have been selected as Comcast RISE awardees since November 2020, including approximately 158 in Houston. Read more.
Get to know local business owners and Comcast RISE recipients in a virtual feature series Learn about six local businesses owned by people of color that are being recognized in a six-part online series presented by Comcast from through Aug. 30. Comcast RISE was formed in late 2020 to give small businesses owned by people of color the tools needed to not just survive but thrive. Houston recipients of this latest round of business services are part of nearly 3,700 entrepreneurs nationwide who have been selected as Comcast RISE awardees since November 2020, including approximately 158 in Houston. Read more.
Sparklight® brings fiber internet to Victoria, TX residents, businesses Sparklight®, a leading broadband communications provider and part of the Cable One family of brands, today announced plans to build a fiber-optic network that will provide high-speed internet service to Victoria, Texas residents and businesses. Engineering and pre-construction activities are already underway on the company’s state-of-the-art, all-fiber network that will deliver symmetrical speeds up to 1 Gig for residential customers and up to 5 Gigs for business customers. Read more.
Sparklight® ranked Top Business Choice Internet Provider by PC Magazine With small and large businesses alike relying more than ever on fast and reliable internet service, Sparklight® Business is honored to be named a top Business Choice Internet Service Provider (ISP) by PC Magazine. Sparklight Business ranked fifth in the nation out of 23 business internet providers, scoring top marks from its customers in all categories. Read more. |
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Altice USA
Charter Spectrum
Comcast
Sparklight |
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