Fort Worth City Council approves broadband contract to enhance city internet access

More reliable and higher quality internet could be coming to Fort Worth’s (TX) underserved areas. The Fort Worth City Council approved a $7.5 million, 34-year contract with Dallas-based Sprocket Networks for broadband infrastructure. The contract authorizes the installation of an approximately 300-mile network to connect residents and businesses with internet in locations designated as underserved. Around 17 percent of residents in Fort Worth don’t have access to high-speed internet and 8 percent have no internet access at all. Most of those residents live in neighborhoods such as Las Vegas Trail, Como, Marine Creek, Stop Six, Rosemont, and Ash Crescent. Now that the contract is approved, the next hurdle is to get the network constructed. The process will take around three years to complete, according to Kevin Gunn, IT Solutions director for the city. Construction crews will be mobilized over the next six to nine months. While the construction of the network will take three years, service will become available on a rolling basis, Gunn said. The city put out the request for proposals to create a broadband plan for Fort Worth back in February 2022. By adding cabling in community and government facilities such as libraries and fire stations in neighborhoods in need, staff hopes to fill the gaps in the network. American Rescue Plan Act funds and grant funds from the North Central Texas Council of Governments will fund the plan’s implementation.