Large disparities in Internet access exist in Dallas County today, making it difficult for communities with adequate broadband service to reach the same opportunities as their connected neighbors.
Though 95% of census blocks in Dallas County are served with adequate broadband with speeds of at least 100/20 Mbps, approximately 24,000 households in the county are without residential Internet subscriptions today, according to research conducted by CTC Technology & Energy.
Without adequate broadband service in place, in-need and often low-income, households in the county face deep inequities in digital literacy, Internet reliability, and access to technology. This limits their access to remote work opportunities, online education, and virtual healthcare.
Awarded $27.8 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding from Dallas County to construct and upgrade critical middle mile infrastructure, Zayo aims to bridge these digital gaps in Dallas County by providing an equitable, open-access access, setting the foundation for future growth.
This blog will discuss just how this government-funded middle-mile infrastructure project will tackle regional digital inequities and set the stage for technology-driven growth in Dallas County.
Incentivize Last-Mile Providers to Extend Their Reach into Underserved Communities
New middle-mile fiber will directly address regional disparities in digital services by focusing on historically underserved areas. By building new middle-mile infrastructure in targeted locations, Zayo will enable more Internet service providers (ISPs) to offer competitive, reliable, high-speed Internet services in previously in-need areas.
Today, consumers in underserved markets may be forced to choose the only provider available which may not provide Internet access at the speeds they need at a reasonable price point. By enabling more last-mile fiber providers to build out to these communities and increasing ISP competition, the new middle-mile fiber will ultimately increase connectivity options for customers across the county, giving them a range of providers to choose from.
Through the ARPA-funded Dallas County project, Zayo can enable last-mile broadband services in up to 10 priority zip codes in the county, contingent on government funding and Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) availability, to be released soon. Once released, Zayo will make its open-access middle-mile infrastructure available to last-mile providers in selected areas for eligible households.
Lower Cost-Related Barriers to Broadband for ISPs and Their Customers
Cost has long been a deterrent to purchasing Internet service for in-need, often low-income households. While broadband service in these areas is often slower than in higher-income, more connected areas in the county, it typically costs the same as faster services in wealthier areas, driving greater digital inequities. In fact, according to CTC research, only 73% of respondents to a survey of Dallas County households with children and household incomes of less than $50,000 reported that their child had adequate access to a computer device to complete homework.
While cost is often a prohibitive factor for low-income consumers to purchase broadband services, the cost to build last-mile fiber into these consumers also disincentivizes ISPs from extending their services to underserved areas. By building middle-mile infrastructure in Dallas County, Zayo will reduce costs and lower accessibility barriers for local ISPs, thereby increasing ISP competition and passing off cost savings to households in need.
Increase Bandwidth Across Dallas County
Middle-mile fiber won’t just address digital disparities, it will boost available bandwidth and service quality across Dallas County. In addition to building new middle-mile fiber, we’re overbuilding capacity on existing fiber routes in the county. This will not only support network reach in-need households but will also provide the bandwidth to support data-intensive applications and prepare the county’s digital infrastructure for future demand. A robust middle-mile network will foster innovation in essential services like healthcare and education across the county.
Support Local ISPs Vying for BEAD Funding
The Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program provides U.S. states and territories with another opportunity to receive funding to expand high-speed Internet access to areas in need. Texas alone has been allocated $3.3 billion in BEAD funding to support critical infrastructure projects in communities in need.
While ARPA funding from Dallas County enables Zayo to build critical middle-mile connections, BEAD funding will allow last-mile providers to cost-effectively extend their connections into households. However, smaller ISPs often don’t have the resources to navigate the BEAD application process and access these funds. Zayo can partner with both ISPs self-funding last-mile builds or applying for Texas BEAD funding, giving them the resources and expertise they need to confidently take advantage of opportunities like BEAD.
Zayo’s Broadband Infrastructure Deployment Alliance (zBIDA) program empowers broadband providers to secure government funding like BEAD, tap into Zayo’s expertise and network, and deliver reliable Internet access to communities in need. From day zero, we help ISPs craft compelling network narratives for grant applications, align with national strategic partners, budget and support financial goals, and navigate government regulations. Once an ISP wins grant funds, Zayo helps them build last-mile fiber via Zayo’s middle-mile network.
Improve Digital Equity Through Meaningful Community Engagement
While fiber is our bread and butter, Zayo’s digital equity efforts don’t stop with our middle-mile network. We see expanding Internet access as just one piece of the digital equity puzzle. To truly close the digital divide, we must ensure that new Internet users are fully able to take advantage of it.
In addition to lowering the cost and increasing access to Internet access in Dallas County, Zayo aims to improve digital education and device availability. In partnership with technology access and education nonprofit Compudopt, Zayo will distribute 300 free laptops with two years of technical support to Dallas County residents based on a lottery system, impacting approximately 1,500 households. Additionally, we will partner with Compudopt to provide a digital literacy and workforce development curriculum to new Internet users, preparing them with the skills and knowledge needed to engage with the Internet. Together, we will invest $150,000 in educational programs and technology donations to bridge digital skills gaps over two years.
Learn More About Zayo’s Commitment to Digital Equity
Here at Zayo, we’re honored to continue doing important work to close the digital divide through government-funded critical middle-mile fiber builds and local programs in Dallas County and beyond. The funding in Dallas County is one of a few recent government funding wins for Zayo, and we’re proud to enable reliable, accessible Internet in some of the nation’s most underserved communities from coast to coast.
