Amarillo’s plan for broadband in El Barrio could be a playbook for other Texas communities without internet

Only a few blocks separate Amarillo’s lively, bustling downtown area from the city’s historic El Barrio district. While much of the city has spotty internet, residents in El Barrio are almost completely disconnected. The residents are determined to give current and future families more than the bare minimum. The Barrio Neighborhood Planning Committee and Amarillo City Council have been working on a revitalization plan since 2018, and bringing broadband to the neighborhood is part of the mission. Establishing a new broadband network in Texas is a complex puzzle involving businesses, city governments, fiber cables, and expensive equipment to carry it. The City of Amarillo reached a $24 million deal with AT&T to build a new high-speed network that will bring broadband to more than 22,000 locations in Amarillo. This includes new, affordable in-home connections for neighborhoods like El Barrio and free Wi-Fi in public places. The city committed $2 million from American Rescue Plan Act funds as part of the deal. AT&T is funding the rest of the $24 million. Through a grant from the AT&T Foundation, the Barrio Neighborhood Planning Committee will be hosting classes to teach residents about starting a business and digital literacy classes for adults and senior citizens.