In rural Victoria, TX, nearly 30 percent of households lack a broadband subscription. On Wednesday, the town announced it’s issuing a request for proposal (RFP), seeking faster and more affordable broadband service, reported KAVU-TV.
The RFP was developed by the city-led Victoria Broadband Commission “who is working on expanding internet access by seeking solutions that will meet the needs of diverse sectors.” The program developer will be tasked with identifying factors that contribute to the low rate of broadband adoption in Victoria, evaluating gaps in existing infrastructure, and conducting an enhanced feasibility study, according to KAVU-TV.
“Attracting internet providers is a challenge in rural areas, so we need to work proactively to improve the quality of internet service in our region,” said Assistant City Manager Darrek Ferrell. “Partnering with a third-party developer will be an important step toward improving our infrastructure and bringing internet access to more households, businesses, and organizations.”
KAVU-TV reported that the proposed network must meet the federal broadband standard of 25 Mbps of download speed and 3 Mbps of upload speed, but preference will be given to bidders who can exceed this standard. The developer must also outline an implementation strategy for funding and revenue opportunities.
The deadline to submit proposals is February 18, 2021, by 1 p.m. The full RFP is outlined here.
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