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Alpine, Texas (September 2022) – BBT’s successful ReConnect 3 Program proposal leverages $24MM in grant funding for a 5-year fiber infrastructure buildout. This project will deliver 1 Gbps synchronous fiber broadband speeds to several of West Texas’ more remote communities. The fiber-to-the premise (FTTP) project will construct approximately 311 miles of fiber infrastructure in rural Presidio and Terrell Counties. The buildout includes delivering internet connectivity to 312 locations in and around the unincorporated border communities of Candelaria, Dryden, Redford, Ruidosa, and Shafter. These areas are classified by USDA as Socially Vulnerable as well as Frontier and Remote Areas (FAR).

“As a community-based provider, BBT is excited to partner with USDA to provide a scalable, synchronous high-speed fiber broadband network to many socially vulnerable communities in some of the most rural areas in the United States. This partnership will enable these communities to seek new opportunities for economic development, education, health care and public safety with a focus on digital equity and inclusion. Without ReConnect 3, advanced fiber broadband services to these rural communities would not be possible.”

With funding from the Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and their Rural Utilities Service (RUS), sought nationwide proposals related to the ReConnect Program opportunity this past Spring. The Rural Development Broadband ReConnect Program supplies funding for the cost of construction, improvement or acquisition of facilities, and equipment needed to provide broadband service in eligible rural areas. For more information about the ReConnect Program, follow the link to the fact sheet (embedded). For more information about BBT Fiber, call 800.592.4781 or learn more at bigbend.com

BBT has been a pillar of West Texas’ vast, remote territory for over 60 years, providing telecommunications and technology services and keeping customers moving far into the future. BBT is the only fiber-based provider in the many rural communities served, and its service area covers almost 18,000 square miles, including 485 miles of border with neighboring Mexico.

Crane, Texas (December 2022) – BBT, a community-based provider, is proud to continue investing in Crane and plans to offer fiber internet connectivity beginning in 2023. This will allow Crane residents and businesses to connect to high-performance fiber optic technology and limitless opportunities. BBT’s advanced telecommunications services enable communities to learn and work from home, attend telehealth appointments, and more. With engineering and construction-permitting scheduled for completion by mid-2023, BBT plans to invest $2MM in the City of Crane. When complete, there will be 1500 fiber served business and residential locations.

Business and economic growth are dependent on fast, reliable connectivity. Health and medical services share information and resources that can be lifesaving. Fiber-fed communications systems deliver information on weather, emergency alerts, and critical safety updates. In addition, a fiber connection is essential for education, telemedicine and community economic development. BBT is using fiber optic technology to supply scalable, long-lasting connectivity and empowering digital equity throughout the 25 communities they serve. For more information about BBT Fiber, call 800.592.4781 or learn more at bigbend.com.

BBT is proud to offer 100% fiber connectivity in the communities of Comstock, Langtry, Sanderson, and Sheffield, TX. This allows the residents and businesses to connect to high-performance fiber optic technology and limitless opportunities. BBT’s advanced telecommunications services enable communities to learn and work from home, attend telehealth appointments, and more.

“BBT is very excited about the progress we are making in our communities. Fiber optics is reliable, future-proof, and provides increased security and value,” said Rusty Moore, BBT General Manager and Chief Operations Officer. “Access to high-speed broadband is especially important to rural communities, which we advocate for nationwide. We are proud to help our communities close the digital divide.”

With an eye on prosperity and growth, BBT stays committed to a high-level of strategic investment and economic development in the communities they serve. During the last several years, BBT’s $36MM capital investment has deployed fiber to over 6,000 locations. In recent years, the company has invested $3.5MM into the Presidio Fiber Infrastructure, which will give this community a 100% fiber network as well. This project was designed in phases with some portions completed and the remaining scheduled for completion by end of 2022. BBT continues to explore state and federal funding opportunities to build the critical infrastructure that supplies the economic and social benefits that only fiber can deliver.

Business and economic growth are dependent on fast, reliable connectivity. Health and medical services share information and resources that can be lifesaving. Fiber-fed communications systems deliver information on weather, traffic alerts, and critical safety updates. In addition, a fiber connection is essential for education and border security purposes. BBT is using fiber optic technology to supply long-lasting connectivity and empower digital equity throughout the 25 communities they serve. For more information about BBT Fiber, call 800.592.4781 or learn more at bigbend.com.

BBT has been a pillar of West Texas’ vast, remote territory for over 60 years, providing telecommunications and technology services and keeping customers moving far into the future. BBT is the only fiber-based provider in the many rural communities served, and its service area covers almost 18,000 square miles, including 485 miles of border with neighboring Mexico.

PUC Increase

This August, BBT will pay the 21% increase in the Texas Universal Service Fund for their customers — The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) recently approved a rate increase in the Texas Universal Service Fund (TUSF) surcharge from 3.3% to 24%, effective August 1, 2022. BBT residential customers could potentially see an increase in their monthly bills of approximately $4.61 per month and $6.21 for business customers. However, BBT will pay the increase on behalf of their customers for the August billing.

The Texas Universal Service Fund was created to keep rural phone bills affordable by making the rates of rural service comparable to rates in urban areas. This was accomplished through funding from the Public Utility Commission of Texas. Two years ago, the PUC stopped providing financial support to this fund. As a result, it created a burden on rural telecommunications providers to continue providing comparable rates.

The PUC was recently ordered to take steps to fully fund the Texas Universal Service Fund. In response, the PUC increased the TUSF contribution rate from 3.3% to 24%.

BBT is committed to working with the PUC to consider an alternative plan to reduce the surcharge and resulting impact on our customers. We will continue to monitor PUC developments.

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What is the TUSF? The TUSF (Texas Universal Service Fund) program supports affordable rates for telecommunications services in the most rural and high-cost areas of the State. The TUSF program supports Relay Texas and Specialized Telecommunications Assistance Programs, the Tel-Assistance, Lifeline and Link Up programs, and the Small Local Exchange Carriers Universal Service Fund, and the Texas High-Cost Universal Service Plan.