TCA NEWSLETTER
Latest industry news in Texas and around the country.
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INVESTING
IN THE
INTERNET
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TCA LETTER:
BROADBAND IS
A VITAL TOOL
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NEW "K-12 BRIDGE
TO BROADBAND"
INITIATIVE
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INVESTING IN THE INTERNET |
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Cable companies and governments have long worked to connect Americans to the internet, especially in recent years as broadband has become a more integral part of our everyday activities.
Even with the widespread availability of broadband across Texas and the U.S., some individuals still cannot, or choose not, to access the internet. This adoption and affordability conundrum is particularly troubling when it comes to families with children, who run the risk of falling behind as schools have transitioned, to some degree, to online learning. Moreover, COVID-19 has made broadband adoption and device availability critical to keep Americans connected by supporting essential distance learning, telework, telemedicine, e-commerce and social interaction.
In the past six months, cable providers, the State of Texas and the U.S. government have answered the call to expand programs and provide funding that will get even more individuals online, either through internet adoption or providing the necessary technology to get online.
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TCA LETTER TO THE EDITOR: BROADBAND IS A VITAL TOOL |
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Dear editor:
When COVID-19 forced much of our lives online in the spring, cable operators quickly took actions to increase broadband adoption, including expanding discounted low-income internet programs and opening Wi-Fi hotspots to the public.
Since then, cable providers have continued to work with Texas schools, education officials and others to make sure all students can get connected and have the opportunity to learn.
With so many schools in Texas underway virtually, broadband connectivity at home – more than ever – has become a vital tool for families to access educational resources for their children.
While the CARES Act has made devices available through school districts, Texas cable operators are here to help families get those devices connected to broadband. The Texas Cable Association encourages any family in need of affordable, high-speed internet to contact their local cable operator to see what discounted options may be available.
Walt Baum
President, Texas Cable Association, Austin
Appeared in:
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U.S. CABLE INDUSTRY ANNOUNCES NEW "K-12 BRIDGE TO BROADBAND" INITIATIVE |
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NCTA – the Internet & Television Association, a leading broadband technology trade association, in partnership with EducationSuperHighway (ESH), a national non-profit that led the work to close the classroom connectivity gap, on Sept. 10 announced a new initiative to help increase home connectivity solutions for students, as many schools adapt to remote and hybrid learning classrooms amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The K-12 Bridge to Broadband initiative will scale innovative solutions that are helping public school districts and states identify and potentially connect students in low-income families, enabling more students to participate in remote or hybrid learning.
Cable broadband providers operating in Texas that have committed to this initiative include Comcast (Xfinity), Charter (Spectrum) and Vyve Broadband. Learn more.
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CABLE CONTINUES TO CONNECT
In cities and towns across Texas, local cable operators and their employees make their communities a better place to live. Cable companies not only make financial and in-kind donations to numerous civic and charitable organizations, but employees volunteer thousands of hours of their time each year. Check out the latest cable industry community initiatives below.
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Spectrum Networks to bring its award-winning local news network Spectrum News 1 to customers across Dallas-Ft. Worth, South and West Texas
Spectrum Networks on Oct. 6 announced its award-winning format for high-quality, hyperlocal news, politics, weather and original local content will launch to Spectrum customers across Texas on Oct.16. With the expansion, Spectrum News 1 will serve Dallas-Fort Worth/Wichita Falls and the Southern and Western regions in Texas, in addition to its existing coverage of Austin and San Antonio. Read more.
Charter introduces Stay Connected K-12, making it easier for students and teachers to participate in online learning
With many school districts opting for full or hybrid distance learning this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Charter Communications, Inc., on Oct. 1 announced Stay Connected K-12, a new Spectrum Enterprise solution that enables schools to offer high-speed, cable broadband Internet access direct to their students, educators and staff in their own homes so learning and teaching are uninterrupted. Residences are not billed for the service. Read more.
Charter relaunches free 60-Day Spectrum internet & Wi-Fi offer to help connect new households with K-12 and college students or educators
Charter Communications, Inc. on Sept. 21 announced a relaunch of its Remote Education Offer providing free Spectrum internet – with speeds up to 200 Mbps in most markets – and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with K-12th graders, college students and/or educators. The promotion is available for customers who live in a Spectrum market and do not currently have Spectrum Internet services. Read more.
Charter doubles Spectrum digital education grant commitment to $1 million for 2020
Charter Communications, Inc. on Sept. 16 announced it will doubled its original 2020 commitment to digital education, awarding a total of $1 million in grants to organizations providing broadband education, technology and training. In all, Charter awarded 48 Spectrum Digital Education grants to nonprofit organizations for programs such as teaching seniors digital skills, setting up technology labs, providing online classes for families that need homework and job support, and purchasing laptops for underserved groups. With this year’s grants, Charter has surpassed its multiyear commitment to award $6 million in cash and in-kind donations to support broadband education across the company’s 41-state service area. Read more.
Charter named “Operator of the Year”
Multichannel News named Charter Communications as the publication's “Operator of the Year,” citing its skill at offering high-quality services and excellent customer service at reasonable prices while still driving subscriber growth during the pandemic. Charter has added 1.4 million broadband and 32,000 video subscribers this year. Read more.
Charter announces inaugural class of 20 Spectrum scholars
Charter Communications, Inc. on Sept. 28 announced the 20 college juniors – including five from Texas – who will make up its inaugural class of Spectrum Scholars, the company’s new, two-year educational and mentorship initiative for underrepresented students with financial need. Each student will receive a $20,000 scholarship, a Charter professional mentor and the opportunity to explore an internship with the company. Read more.
Charter Spectrum opens 50th Texas mobile store in San Marcos
Charter Communications, Inc. celebrated the opening of its 50th new store to offer mobile phone services to Texas customers. The new Spectrum Store in San Marcos opened Sept. 17 with a host of in-store festivities, including prizes for the first 50 customers to visit the new location. The Spectrum store gives consumers in San Marcos a convenient option for adding or managing their Spectrum Internet®, TV, Mobile or Voice services. Read more.
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Sparklight donates $20,000 to non-profits impacted by COVID-19
Texas nonprofits Opportunities, Inc. in Texarkana and Order of the Eastern Star’s Ruth Chapter in Marshall are among the nonprofit organizations in Texas, Idaho and Illinois that have each been awarded $5,000 by Sparklight and the other Cable One family of brands as part of its “Up for Any Challenge” social media campaign. Opportunities, Inc. in Texarkana, Texas, serves children and adults with developmental disabilities by providing day services for children and adults, as well as a residential program for adult clients and the elderly. Order of the Eastern Star’s Ruth Chapter in Marshall, Texas, provides meals, food and funds to those in need throughout the Marshall community. Read more.
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Donald Fuller, Sparklight’s technical operations manager in Sherman, presents a donation check for school supplies to Renee Maples, administration business manager for Van Alstyne Independent School District. |
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Kip McVey, general manager for Fidelity Communications in Texas, presents a $1,000 donation to Rob Barnwell, superintendent of schools for Jefferson Independent School District, to use toward school supplies for the 2020/2021 school year. |
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Altice USA
Charter Spectrum
Comcast
Sparklight
Vyve
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