From Worst-Connected to Leading the Way

Just a few years ago, Pharr, Texas, was ranked the worst-connected city in America, with nearly 60% of households lacking high-speed internet. During the COVID-19 pandemic, students often relied on public Wi-Fi in parking lots to finish their homework. Today, the city is transforming that reality with a bold fiber-to-the-home project

Launching TEAMPHARR.NET

In 2021, Pharr broke ground on TEAMPHARR.NET, a city-owned fiber network powered by Corning’s fiber optic solutions. The project, now 85% complete, aims to bring affordable broadband to all residents.

Key steps included:

• Using American Rescue Plan Act funds and municipal bonds to finance construction.
• Choosing to own the network outright to guarantee affordability.
• Partnering with Corning and Graybar for efficient rollout and training.

Delivering Affordable Access

The project will span nearly 400 miles of fiber cable, one of the largest municipal builds in the region. Today, over 1,000 homes in South Pharr are already connected. Residents enjoy fast, reliable service at affordable rates, with the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) further reducing costs.

Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez notes that citizens now have access to speeds rivaling those in America’s largest cities: “With our new fiber-to-the-home network, our citizens are plugged into a new world of possibilities.”

A Model for Other Communities

Pharr’s project shows that municipal broadband can deliver more than just connectivity:

• Education: Students can now access online learning without barriers.
• Economic growth: Deloitte projects that a 10% increase in broadband access nationwide could add 800,000 jobs and $180 billion in economic output within five years.
• Long-term readiness: Fiber infrastructure ensures residents can upgrade seamlessly as technology advances.

Why It Matters

Broadband is becoming as essential as electricity. Pharr’s success demonstrates how local leadership and strategic partnerships can transform a city, setting an example for other underserved communities nationwide.