Description given on Youtube:
Many areas in west Texas area do not have Internet access.
That’s why a statewide map has been created to find those areas and hopefully make broadband service available to everyone.
Abigail Prichard’s job as a Ward County extension agent revolves around communication.
“You can use it to communicate with people in you business you can use it to communicate with your family with your friends”
She says sometimes trying to communicate with “all” her coworkers can be a difficult task, because some live in areas that do not provide an Internet service.
“That’s the things about not having the availability of it, it’s not a choice you can make”
Many people in rural areas with out broadband access find themselves at the Ward County Library. Librarians say it gets packed with people needing a computer.
“Quite often they’re here for the connection the internet connection,” Librarian Bonnie Moore said.
In an effort to close the digital divide, the state with the use of stimulus funds, launched the Texas Broadband Map.
The map on connectedtx.org pinpoints areas with no access to home broadband service.
“To me it’s a tool it’s something I can use when I have the need,” Moore said.
A representative of the website says most of the areas without service are in rural regions of the state, hindering their opportunities for business development, access to high education and even ordering medicine. The mapping service will allow service providers to target future investments.
“It’s a very fast access to information,” Moore said.
The public can also use the map to compare prices through direct links to service areas.
The state asks you to review the map at connectedtx.org and help with the accuracy of their data to better help your community.