Taking Broadband Into Their Own Hands
Pharr, Texas, once ranked among the worst-connected cities in the U.S., is taking a do-it-yourself approach to broadband. City leaders decided to treat internet as a public utility, ensuring residents get reliable and affordable access.
The Digital Divide Challenge
In the Rio Grande Valley, nearly 60% of border counties lacked residential internet. Families often struggled with affordability and reliability, while students were left disconnected at home despite schools having service through the FCC’s E-Rate program.
Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez said the city had to step up: “We needed to level the playing field for our residents, so we decided to own the network and guarantee affordability.”
Affordable Connectivity for Families
The city became an official Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) provider, enabling free broadband for qualifying households. With over five local school districts eligible for free lunch programs, thousands of families can now get internet at no cost. For others, gigabit plans start at just $20/month with ACP assistance.
Laying the Foundation
Pharr began planning in 2017 with a $100,000 feasibility study funded by BBVA Bank and the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. After exploring middle-mile leasing options, the city chose to own the network outright. Early pilot projects tested both wireless and fiber connections, alongside digital literacy training for residents.
Partnerships That Power the Network
The city partnered with multiple companies—including Calix, Corning, Extreme Networks, Graybar, and CTC consultants—to design and deploy its fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network. Using Calix’s Wi-Fi 6E GigaSpire BLAST systems and the TeamPharr.Net app, residents now enjoy enhanced security and parental controls at no extra cost.
Hands-On Deployment
The rollout began in South Pharr, with homes connected neighborhood by neighborhood. City staff manage provisioning while installation teams activate service. Aggressive door-to-door marketing campaigns doubled sign-ups, spreading awareness across bilingual households.
A Catalyst for Growth
The project is also attracting business investment, leveraging Pharr’s position at the busy Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge, a key trade hub with Mexico. Reliable broadband is now seen as essential infrastructure for growth.
Resilient Despite Challenges
Despite supply chain shortages, the city secured critical fiber supplies from Corning and used cooperative procurement agreements to reduce costs. Revenue bonds and funds from the American Rescue Plan Act financed the project without raising local property taxes.
Inspiring Other Communities
Pharr’s success is motivating nearby cities and school districts to consider similar models. As IT Director Jose Peña explained: “We’re building the lowest-cost direct fiber service in the area. Other communities are already asking for our help.”
