The Texas Broadband Development Map was released Jan. 12. 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. An area is eligible for funding when less than 80 percent of serviceable locations have access to internet at speeds of 25 […]
Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Transportation is accepting applications for two programs that will make approximately $160 million available annually for the next five years. The first program is the new Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grants Program. The SMART Grants Program will offer up to $100 million in grants annually over […]
Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) together awarded $49.2 million in innovative technology grants to improve mobility and multimodal connections. Grants can be applied to technologies ranging from systems that detect and prevent wrong-way crashes to advanced technology to improve trucking operations and terminal operator […]
The city of Fort Worth positioned itself as a leader in cryptocurrency on April 26 when it became the first American municipality with its own Bitcoin mining operation. Passage of a City Council resolution allowed the city to enter an initial six-month pilot program that revolves around three Bitcoin mining machines. The Bitcoin mining machines, […]
The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) approved the first middle mile broadband rule in the state of Texas. This rule allows electric utilities to lease their excess fiber capacity to internet service providers so they can provide broadband to underserved and unserved communities in Texas. PUC does not regulate broadband in Texas. However, this […]
Washington, D.C. – Twelve states are among the beneficiaries of $277 million in National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) grants to connect unserved households. The grants were awarded to Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, Washington, and West Virginia. Missouri’s Department of Economic Development topped the list of awardees with $42.24 […]
Arizona – Broadband expansion efforts in Arizona are getting a boost with the announcement of a partnership between the Arizona Commerce Authority and the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT). Together, the partners will implement the new Arizona Statewide Broadband Middle-Mile Strategic Plan, which supports current broadband expansion efforts on interstates 17 and 19. The Strategic Plan […]
The National Security Collaboration Center (NSCC) at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) joined the United States Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM) Academic Engagement Network (AEN) in January. AEN’s overarching goals include engaging the future workforce, increasing cyber applied research and innovation, expanding cyber focus analytic partnerships, and enriching strategic dialogue between organizations. Partnership with […]
Washington – The State Broadband Office of Washington will provide $145 million for 13 construction projects to deliver reliable, high-speed internet access in 14 communities when completed. The Broadband Infrastructure Acceleration grants will further Washington’s goal of connecting all residents of the state to broadband infrastructure by 2028. Grants conditionally awarded, pending final contract execution, are: […]
Washington – The Public Works Board of Washington approved more than $44.6 million in grants for 15 broadband construction projects in unserved and underserved communities on December 3. Applicants requested more than $90 million for 29 different projects, and the board approved qualified projects until all available program funds were exhausted. Demand exceeded available funds by […]
Although Texas ranked in the middle of the pack among states victimized for cybercrime in 2020, the Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land area was among the metropolises reporting the most cyber identity thefts in the nation, according to a recent study. Beyond Identity assessed the last decade of cybercrime for its study that found 724 reports of […]
As current and emerging cyber threats spread from the online world into proliferating commercial technologies, cybersecurity leaders and educators are partnering to research ways to mitigate the risks. The relationship between the National Security Collaboration Center (NSCC) at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) is a […]
Iowa – Gov. Kim Reynolds is making up to $200 million in American Rescue Plan funds available for broadband expansion in Iowa. The Office of the Chief Information Officer will hold a pre-application conference at 2 p.m. CDT October 14 to discuss a high-level view of the program, including the requirements prescribed by this Notice of […]
Delaware – Boosted by American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, Delaware is aiming to become the first state to reach every home and business with high-speed, wired broadband service. Gov. John Carney announced on September 16 that the state would invest $110 million to cover every “last mile” of Delaware with high-speed, wireline broadband internet service. […]
A new state Broadband Development Office (BDO) has been formed within the Texas Comptroller’s office to award grants, low-interest loans, and other financial assistance to further the expansion of broadband service in underserved areas in Texas. The office, established by HB 5 during the recently gaveled regular session of the 87th Legislature, also will: Create […]
New Hampshire – The town of Bedford is seeking vendor input on improving broadband coverage in underserved areas of the town. Bedford is soliciting proposals through a request for information (RFI) to improve broadband coverage in the town to address the needs expressed by its residents. If necessary, the town’s desire is to form a partnership […]
The city of Cedar Park soon will commission a fiber network feasibility study and needs assessment to determine how the city could use existing fiber resources and invest in new fiber assets. City officials are seeking information that will help support strategic directives and capital and business development projects. Cedar Park intends to develop a […]
City officials in Laredo are considering a city-provided gigabit broadband service to serve city residents, businesses, and visitors. The city soon will commission a municipal broadband study that could include a broadband expansion feasibility study with deployment options. Laredo aims to accelerate the deployment of high-speed broadband access in the city by identifying the state […]
A new report by the Texas Military Preparedness Commission recommends investments in renewable energy, infrastructure improvements, new technology, and public-private partnerships at the state’s 15 military installations. The Texas Military Value Task Force 2021 Report identifies strengths and opportunities to grow current missions and bring in new missions, as well as other strategies to increase […]
Connecticut – The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) unveiled a statewide strategic plan for connected and automated vehicles (CAV) to support emerging transportation technology and mobility trends. The strategic plan explores ways connected and automated vehicles or CAV technologies could become a tool in helping meet key CTDOT goals to: Improve safety. Enhance mobility. Achieve accessibility […]
The Internet Association trade group released a map representing its analysis of information technology (IT) readiness in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. SITARA, or the State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Information Technology Advancing Reform Achievements, used an established baseline of participation in programs recommended by the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency […]
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) authorized $362 million in federal funding for rural broadband connections to nearly 311,000 unserved homes and businesses in Texas through the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Phase I auction. On December 7, the FCC announced 22 bidders for Texas and a total of 180 bidders nationwide to deploy high-speed broadband to […]
The Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) announced the formation of the Texas Artificial Intelligence Center of Excellence on December 2. The center’s primary goals are to accelerate innovation and adopt artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. DIR officials said the new center will support state and local governments and public colleges and universities in the exploration […]
Bexar County Information Technology Department is enhancing Bexar County 2.0, a digital transformation strategy based on telework and e-government services. The county developed the system during the pandemic to enable its employees to work from home and is looking to expand its telework capabilities with a $24.5 million project included in its FY 2020-21 proposed […]
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) issued a request for information (RFI) seeking manufacturer input related to Case-specific Automated Fingerprint Identification (CAFIS) software. DPS is interested in a solution that will perform in-depth, automated searches between a latent print and known exemplar prints for use by DPS friction ridge forensic scientists in the crime […]
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