This presentation discusses options for the City of College Station to provide broadband internet access to underserved citizens. It outlines 3 options: 1) partnering with an internet service provider who would manage services, 2) having the city manage services directly, or 3) partnering with a new provider to lay fiber. Considerations for each option include management of contracts, support, funding sources, sustainability, and technology/digital literacy limitations. Next steps proposed are for city council direction and further exploration of options, costs, partnerships and rollout plans to address the digital divide in the community.

1. Presentation
on
City Provided
Broadband Internet Services
12/10/2020 1

2. Objectives
• Understanding the Digital Divide
• City of College Station – Current State of Internet Access
• Options for Broadband for City of College Station
• Considerations for Options
• Next Steps
12/10/2020 2

3. Bridging the Digital Divide
• Digital divide is a term that refers to
the gap between demographics
and regions that have access to
modern information and
communications technology, and
those that don't or have restricted
access. This technology can
include the telephone, television,
personal computers and the
Internet.
12/10/2020 3

4. Digital Equity and Inclusion - State Government Initiatives Across
Three Categories
Internet Access
• Expansion of free public WIFI (boosting WIFI at public buildings parking lots, nearby housing, etc.)
• Information about free and low-cost internet options from wireline and mobile providers
Device Access
• Funding (states that are opening and expanding grant programs for COVID-19)
• Computer Refurbishers (states that are coordinating with state-wide computer refurbishers)
Tech Support
• Tech assistance hotlines, digital navigator programs (1:1 device, connectivity and tech support)
• Online digital literacy training (live and pre-recorded lessons)

5. https://muninetworks.org/communitymap

6. City of Bryan Broadband Initiative
12/10/2020 6
Charter Amendment
• Ballot measure to authorize BTU to provide fiber broadband internet service
• Approved by the citizens with 76% in favor
Feasibility Study
• December 2020, preliminary broadband design and costing study
• January 2021, broadband survey for citizens and businesses regarding internet speeds, cost,
customer service, etc.
• Final study results expected in April 2021
• Early estimations show a build out cost of approximately $125M over multiple years
Prospective System Models
• Staff will bring back options and associated costs to their City Council
• Factors include system build-out, proposed business model, customer acquisition

7. PRESENCE AND TYPES OF INTERNET
SUBSCRIPTIONS IN HOUSEHOLD
Sugar
Land
College
Station
Total 40,077 40,281
With an Internet Subscription 38,398 95.81% 35,372 87.81%
Broadband of any type 38,398 95.81% 35,372 87.81%
Cellular data plan 36,614 33,679
Cellular data plan with no other type of
Internet subscription
2,606 2,987
Broadband such as cable, fiber optic or
DSL
35,013 87.36% 31,964 79.35%
Broadband such as cable, fiber optic or
DSL with no other type of Internet subscription
1,713 1,601
Satellite Internet service 2,208 2,082
Satellite Internet service with no other type
of Internet subscription
71 43
Internet access without a subscription 332 0.83% 4,177 10.37%
No Internet access 1,347 3.36% 732 1.82%
12/10/2020 7
Bryan
31,053
23,061 74.26%
23,061 74.26%
19,751
3,855
17,851 57.49%
3,038
2,598
78
3,164 10.19%
4,828 15.55%
Waco
50,523
42,472 84.06%
42,472 84.06%
37,321
8,518
32,442 64.21%
4,191
2,123
667
1,335 2.64%
6,716 13.29%
Data source: 2019 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, U.S. Census Bureau
https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=B28002&g=1600000US4810912,4815976,4870808,4876000&tid=ACSDT1Y2019.B28002&hidePreview=false

8. City of College Station Broadband OptionsOption1
• City partners with Broadband
Carrier to provide services to the
underserved and underprivilege
citizens
• Broadband Carrier would fully
manage the customer
relationship and bill the customer
directly
• City or Carrier would subsidize and
pay for the broadband with Cares
Funding or other grant money
• The Broadband carrier may have
subsidized funding available, as
well
• City Partners with Texas DIR for a
Coop Contract arrangement for
underprivilege and underserved
citizens
Option2
• City partners with Broadband
Carrier and provides services
through the City for the
underserved and underprivilege
citizens
• City would build a support and
sustainability model to provide
these services to include support
services, installation services,
monitoring, etc.
• City would subsidize and pay for
the broadband with Cares
Funding or other grant money
• There would be one invoice to the
City every month
Option3
• City partners with a new
Broadband Carrier to lay the fiber
and provide services to
underserved and underprivilege
citizens
• Carrier would support the citizens
with installation and support
• City would subsidize and pay for
the broadband with Cares
Funding or other grant money
• There would be one invoice to the
City every month
12/10/2020 8

9. Option 1 - Considerations
• Contracts – would be managed by household
• Support - would be managed by the ISP
• Available grants or funding – TBD
• Long term sustainability – TBD
• Partnership Options: See chart*
• Limitations:
• Option 1 may need to be combined with Option 3 to meet the
needs of the unserved rural areas where there is not an ISP
provider
• Technology – there may be technology limitations (mobile
devices, computers, etc.), and there may be a gap in
digital literacy
12/10/2020 9
Option1
• City partners with Broadband
Carrier to provide services to the
underserved and underprivilege
citizens
• Broadband Carrier would fully
manage the customer
relationship and bill the customer
directly
• City or Carrier would subsidize and
pay for the broadband with Cares
Funding or other grant money
• The Broadband carrier may have
subsidized funding available, as
well
• City Partners with Texas DIR for a
Coop Contract arrangement for
underprivilege and underserved
citizens

10. Option 2 - Considerations
• Contracts - would be managed by the City
• Support - would be managed by the City
• Available grants or funding – TBD
• Long term sustainability – TBD
• Partnership Options:
• Limitations:
• Option 2 may need to be combined with Option 3 to meet
the needs of the unserved rural areas where there is not an
ISP provider
• Texas statute limitations
• Technology – there may be technology limitations
(mobile devices, computers, etc.), and there may be a
gap in digital literacy
12/10/2020 10
Option2
• City partners with Broadband
Carrier and provides services
through the City for the
underserved and underprivilege
citizens
• City would build a support and
sustainability model to provide
these services to include support
services, installation services,
monitoring, etc.
• City would subsidize and pay for
the broadband with Cares
Funding or other grant money
• There would be one invoice to the
City every month

11. Option 3 - Considerations
• Contracts – would be managed by the City – one invoice
monthly (this may be negotiable)
• Support - would be managed by the ISP
• Available grants or funding – TBD
• Long term sustainability – TBD
• Partnership Options: TBD
• Limitations:
• Option 3 may need to be combined with Option 1, as it may be
more cost effective to partner with an ISP with fiber in place
• Technology – there may be technology limitations (mobile
devices, computers, etc.), and there may be a gap in
digital literacy
12/10/2020 11
Option3
• City partners with a new
Broadband Carrier to lay the fiber
and provide services to
underserved and underprivilege
citizens
• Carrier would support the citizens
with installation and support
• City would subsidize and pay for
the broadband with Cares
Funding or other grant money
• There would be one invoice to the
City every month

12. Next Steps
Council Direction
Maintain current service delivery
 Improve communications with local ISP providers
• Steps have been taken to improve the communications
Continue to explore further
• Prioritize as a strategic initiative at the City Council Retreat
• Additional Discovery of Options and Costs
• Legal Review of Statutes
• Partnership Alignment
• Target POCs
• Citizen Communication
• Roll-Out Plan
12/10/2020 12

13. Thank you
12/10/2020 13