TCA NEWSLETTER
Latest industry news in Texas and around the country.
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GETTING MORE AMERICANS ONLINE |
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TCA BOARD
BROADBAND UPDATE
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CABLE CONNECTING
TO UKRAINE
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GETTING MORE AMERICANS ONLINE |
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Cable companies, that in recent years have focused on providing discounted services to connect low-income households, now are committed to participating in a new, federally funded subsidy program that recently celebrated enrolling more than 10 million U.S. households.
“Cable broadband providers strongly supported inclusion of the federal subsidy in the infrastructure legislation and are active participants in the Affordable Connectivity Program,” Michael Powell, president & CEO, NCTA – The Internet & Television Association (NCTA), said in a statement. “These collective public-private efforts are making a real difference in closing the digital divide, and we remain committed to the mission of connecting all Americans to the internet through these programs plus our efforts to build new networks in areas that don’t yet have service.”
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TCA BOARD GETS BROADBAND DEVELOPMENT OFFICE UPDATE |
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At its recently quarterly meeting, the Texas Cable Association Board of Directors visited with Greg Conte, director of the Texas Broadband Development Office, who provided an update on office activities and ongoing work to draft a state broadband plan. Learn more about Conte and the Broadband Development Office in our recent Q&A with him.
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CABLE CONNECTING TO UKRAINE |
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As the conflict in Ukraine escalates, cable providers are doing their part to connect customers with family and friends in the war-torn country and, in some cases, to the so far more than 1 million refugees who have fled to neighboring countries.
“At Vyve, we recognize that the war in Ukraine is a global concern that is impacting real human beings both abroad and at home,” said Andy Parrott, president and COO of Vyve Broadband. “By waiving charges for long-distance calls to the area, we want to support our customers as they seek to keep in touch with their friends, family members, and loved ones affected by this crisis.”
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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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Charter raises starting speeds to 200 Mbps in 37 additional markets
Charter Communications, Inc. has announced the starting speed of its flagship Spectrum Internet service is now 200 Mbps in an additional 37 markets – including Harlingen, Laredo and Wichita Falls in Texas – complementing its Spectrum Internet Gig and Spectrum Internet Ultra (400 Mbps) plans, which are available virtually companywide. Beginning March 8, the company is doubling the starting speed to 200 Mbps in markets comprising more than 5 million homes. Read more.
Charter Communications joins Aspire to promote low-cost, high-speed broadband service for families and seniors in Dallas
As part of a continuous commitment to expand broadband access, representatives of Charter Communications, Inc. on March 3 joined with Aspire, a literacy and adult continuing education nonprofit, to promote the availability of Spectrum Internet Assist in Dallas. Spectrum Internet Assist delivers industry-leading broadband speeds at an affordable price to eligible families and seniors, with no modem fees, data caps or contracts. Spectrum donated $5,000, as well as 10 new Chromebooks, to support Aspire with its community outreach and operating costs. Read more.
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Comcast, Telemundo Houston donate laptops and internet to PART Houston
Telemundo Houston, in partnership with Comcast’s Internet Essentials program donated 20 laptops with free internet connection for one year to Pan American Round Table (PART) Houston, an organization designed to offer educational opportunities to young deserving women and to promote knowledge, friendship, and understanding among the people of the Americas. Read more.
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New Comcast RISE eligibility allows for more Houston-area women business owners to apply
Comcast RISE, a small business support program that’s helped more than 500 Houston-area businesses with grants and no-cost marketing services and technology makeovers, is now expanding eligibility to all women business owners who have been impacted by the pandemic. All women business owners – regardless of race or ethnicity – can now apply through June 17, 2022, at www.ComcastRise.com. Read more.
Fidelity Communications awards $5,000 grant to Marshall nonprofit, George Washington Carver Community Center
Fidelity Communications, a member of the Cable One family of brands, recently awarded a $5,000 grant to George Washington Carver Community Center in Marshall, Texas, through the company’s Charitable Giving Fund. George Washington Carver Community Center, which strives to restore and rebuild a community through love, education and nutrition, received a grant from Fidelity to assist in setting up high-speed internet to meet education, business and quality of life needs. Learn more.
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Sparklight to award $15,000 to help students “Dream Bigger”
Schools and organizations serving K-12 students in Sparklight communities have the opportunity to win $3,000 to fund their science, technology, engineering or math project or club as part of the internet service provider’s 4th annual “Dream Bigger” social media campaign. Read more.
Sparklight awards $4,500 grant to Sherman nonprofit, Making Dreams Real, Inc.
Sparklight, a member of the Cable One family of brands, recently awarded a $4,500 grant to Making Dreams Real, Inc. through the company’s Charitable Giving Fund. Making Dreams Real, which works to improve community integration and quality of life for adults with mental illness as well as those who are homeless, unemployed or incarcerated, received a grant from Sparklight to launch its REBOOT Combat Recovery course that helps veterans, active-duty military and their families heal from service-related trauma. Read more.
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Sparklight awards $7,500 grant to Aransas Pass nonprofit, Tri-County Christian Service Center
Sparklight, a member of the Cable One family of brands, recently awarded a $7,500 grant to Tri-County Christian Service Center through the company’s Charitable Giving Fund. Tri-County Christian Service Center, which provides free food and clothing, shelter and similar services to those in need, regardless of color, race, nationality, or creed, received a grant from Sparklight to replace an older van with a new box truck in order to continue to pick up food donations. Read more.
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Suddenlink to build 100% fiber broadband network in six Texas markets
Suddenlink, which is operated by Altice USA, has announced plans to build a 100% fiber broadband network to reach homes and businesses it serves in the Abilene, Amarillo, Bryan-College Station, Lubbock, San Angelo and Tyler areas. The fiber builds, which are expected to begin in mid-2022, are part of the company’s multi-year initiative to deploy full-fiber services in the Suddenlink footprint. The company expects to invest more than $500 million in Texas over the next four years to bring fiber services to the communities it serves throughout the state. Read more.
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Altice USA (Suddenlink)
Charter Spectrum
Comcast
Sparklight (Cable One)
Suddenlink (Altice USA)
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