CCECA seeks to offer broadband service

A local broadband initiative is gaining speed, as Cherokee County Electric Cooperative Association pre-pares to set wheels in motion to provide rural internet services.

Founded in 1938 to provide electric service to areas otherwise not served by larger providers, CCECA now hopes to bridge the “digital divide” in rural areas that have “been recognized and discussed at all levels of government and private industry … so that rural areas might have access to reliable high speed internet,” said Greg Jones, CCECA general manager.

CCECA members will consider an amendment to update articles of incorporation that will allow for broadband services, voting in person or by proxy during a 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 19, meeting at Nichols Intermediate School cafeteria, 818 SE Loop 456 in Jacksonville.

A total of five amendments to the cooperative’s articles of incorporation are on the ballot, but one specifi-cally addresses the addition of language giving CCECA permission to engage in any purpose(s) “allowed by applicable federal or state law,” i.e., allowing the cooperative to offer broadband services, according to the CCECA website.

“Members’ requests and surveys have confirmed the desire and need for high speed internet in the rural areas in which CCECA delivers electric service,” said Jones. “The cooperative business model, Texas Law and various funding options have placed CCECA in a unique position to meet the needs of its mem-bers in delivering high speed internet.”

As internet usage has grown more popular during recent years by businesses, educational institutions and private individuals, a gap in service for rural areas was revealed.

"Over the past several years, it's become more and more apparent that broadband access is no longer a luxury, but a necessity,” said Senator Robert Nichols, who represents Texas District 3, an area serving residents in all or some of 18 East Texas counties, including the whole of Cherokee County.

“Without broadband services, our children are unable to learn remotely,” Nichols said, adding that additionally, “telehealth is inaccessible and businesses suffer.”

Comptroller.Texas.gov defines the term broadband as “always-on, high-speed internet access, whether obtained through cable, fiber, wireless, satellite or digital subscriber line (DSL).”

Speed is measured in megabites per second (Mbps); however, that speed varies due to peak use times, number of connected devices and types of material being accessed (email, video), the site noted.

According to www.broadbandnow.com, 56.5 percent of Cherokee County residents have access to 25 Mbps; 42.5 percent have access to 100 Mbps; and 16.6 percent have access to 1gig. Overall, 56.2 percent of county residents have broadband coverage, the site noted.

Should cooperative members approve the amendment, the broadband project “will have the potential to serve nearly 11,000 locations in Cherokee County,” Jones said. “According to the National Telecommu-nication and Information Administration (NTIA) indicators, 8,391 households and 104 businesses serv-ing 2,048 employees are underserved with median speeds of less than 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload.”

The COVID-19 pandemic, which began in March 2020, “created an urgency to get broadband to rural areas” as school districts scrambled to educate students in a home learning environment, Nichols said, with area school leaders in agreement.

New Summerfield ISD, which serves approximately 544 students, and Alto ISD – with approximately 671 students – are two districts within Cherokee County greatly impacted by a lack of solid broadband services during the pandemic as well as during a rare snow event in East Texas in February.

“There are several areas in Alto ISD that do not have internet accessibility. The district provided hot spots to many families last year, but often the devices did not work in the homes due to limited cell service,” said Alto Superintendent Kelly West.

Joe Brannen, NSISD superintendent, said that “according to a survey that we sent out at the beginning of the pandemic, only 40 percent of our households here in New Summerfield have internet at home. The only options for our families are through satellite internet or 25 Mbps broadband.”

Both he and West said that along with issuing students HotSpot devices to help boost wifi connectivity, the districts invited families to park in school lots to access district wifi services, allowing students to complete homework assignments.

“We feel that a majority of our community would purchase broadband internet if it were available,” Brannen said. “Currently, the only broadband connection available in our area has a maximum speed of 25 Mbps for more than $100 per month.”

CCECA’s proposal is one that would be a boon for local students, West said, adding, “we are optimistic that Cherokee County Electric Coop will be able to bring broadband services to many of our families.”

In 2019, the Governor’s Broadband Development Council was created by state legislators to serve as an information clearinghouse “about broadband accessibility across the state and a repository for information about federal funding and other grants available to entities interested in extending broadband access,” Nichols said.

Extensive mapping “of every home and business address in the county (will be performed) to determine accessibility,” he added. “Community input is essential and I encourage businesses and other entities to voice their support in extending broadband to areas where it's currently inaccessible.”