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Relating to provision of broadband infrastructure and connectivity by the Lower Colorado River Authority.
No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
HB 1715 would allow the Colorado river authority to provide fiber capacity or facilities for the purpose of facilitating broadband service connectivity; but not to provide broadband service to a retail customer or lease fiber capacity or facilities to a municipality.
Texas Action opposes HB 1715 as it is not the government's duty to construct such infrastructure when broadband service providers, who stand to benefit financially from servicing more people, will meet market needs and build the infrastructure needed to meet market demand. Additionally, satellite-based broadband internet access is already being developed to offer service around the world without the infrastructure specified in this bill, potentially rendering this infrastructure obsolete within a short time.
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