Llano County partners with internet provider for infrastructure, funding
Llano County commissioners Peter Jones (far left) and Mike Sandoval listen to a presentation from Nexstream CEO Patrick King and Chief Operating Officer Hilory Parker on what it will take to bring high-speed internet to the county. The Commissioners Court voted to partner with Nexsteam to pursue grant funding and establish adequate infrastructure for future broadband service. Staff photo by Dakota Morrissiey
Llano County is teaming up with internet service provider Nexstream to bring broadband infrastructure to the county. During its regular meeting on Monday, April 24, the Llano County Commissioners Court approved a memorandum of understanding with the company.
With the memorandum’s approval, Llano County and Nexstream have an official agreement to pursue funding and make plans for establishing heavy-duty fiber-optic cable and wireless internet nodes across the county. While the two haven’t agreed upon specific projects, the public-private partnership will focus on acquiring federal and state grant money for rural Texas counties that lack adequate internet access.
“We’re pleased to be working with Nexstream to accomplish expanded internet service throughout the county,” said Llano County Commissioner Peter Jones, who led the discussion on Monday.
Nexstream is based in Fredericksburg and works with 18 counties in Central Texas, including Burnet County. The internet provider has a licensed broadband spectrum, giving it exclusive rights to a specific frequency so customers will not have to share their internet connection with those using other providers. Exclusivity provides better service, faster speeds, and more reliable access.
Nexstream CEO Patrick King explained to commissioners that the company is already working on establishing infrastructure in the county, but grant money would greatly speed up the process.
“We build fiber wherever we can get fiber, but there are certain areas where it is not cost-effective,” he said. “Llano County is a great example of that.”
King was referring to the county’s rugged terrain, which makes it difficult to dig lines for fiber-optic cable. It can cost up to $80,000 to bring internet to just one remote home in a more isolated part of the county, he told DailyTrib.com.
Nexstream can reliably provide 200 megabits per second wirelessly, but that could soon shoot up to one gigabit per second, King said.
A timeline for these projects depends on the county and Nexstream’s ability to acquire grants.
Hundreds of millions of dollars in grant money designated for internet infrastructure development in rural areas from the state and federal governments will be available in the coming years, according to Jones and Nexstream Chief Operating Officer Hilory Parker.
2 thoughts on “Llano County partners with internet provider for infrastructure, funding”
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eill that service be planned gir the Jorseshoe Bay ETJ? we are in Oak Ridge neighborhood Buve probides reliable service now But alternatives generally resultbin better service and prices
ZEE CON are you reading this?
Please do.