Primary Department: Universal Services
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Sindhu Menon, Executive Director and CIO
Secondary Department: Choose an item.
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official:
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Discussion Item
Project ID (if applicable): N/A
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MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A
Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: N/A - Goal not applicable to request
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Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
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Request for discussion and possible action regarding an update to Harris County Broadband Roadmap.
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Background and Discussion:
Approximately 9% of Harris County households, over 155,000, lack Broadband subscriptions. With the expiry of Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) funding in June 2024, Harris County Commissioners Court approved on December 10, 2024, the engagement with US Ignite to revisit and update Harris County Broadband Plan. In January 2025, County department leaders, Commissioners Court staff, and representatives from departments across the county were interviewed to identify needs, community challenges, and future opportunities for broadband access and digital services.
From these stakeholders, the Harris County Broadband Roadmap was developed as a three-year guide, based on identified needs and best practices, outlining recommendations and potential initiatives the county may consider.
The Broadband Roadmap is anchored by three core pillars: Infrastructure, Partnerships, and Digital Opportunity. Recommendations include, but are not limited to:
* Infrastructure: Mapping all County-owned fiber, conduits, towers, and rights-of-way.
* Partnerships: Forming the Harris County Broadband Task Force to bring together Internet Service Providers, tec...
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