Broadband connectivity (The Texas Broadband Development Office states this means 25Mbps or greater download speed) is necessary for schools, hospitals and telemedicine, businesses, farms, churches, government and residents to be at parity with Texas connectivity at large.  The rural county should have complete cell phone coverage.  Regular telephone bills in Cooke county continue to increase, true broadband 5G fixed base (100Mbps fiber extension), fiber optic or cable is the proposed replacement for traditional wired service like DSL or traditional phone service.

There is already $600 Million set aside for Texas rural broadband, the rural voice needs to speak up and be heard for transparency and participation sake!! 

The new fixed base 5G service offered by all major providers offers 100Mbps for $50 per month using widespread wireless connectivity.  There are other alternatives such as direct fiber optic, cable and power lines for high speed internet. Moreover in Cooke county there are many areas with no cell service (basic coverage).  

The Texas Broadband Development office and the Texas PUC should honor the bi-partisan created Texas law and use the over $600 million dollars in Federal funding to expedite deployment of 5G fixed wireless service and other broadband and cell coverage for Cooke County Texas.  Since 5G is “line of sight” coverage (about 12 mile radius) … a relatively few towers could quickly, easily and with low expense provide coverage for all county residents.  Whatever the method, rural counties need to be directly involved and engaged and this petition proposes that involvement with the new Texas Broadband Development Office.