Governor, Legislative Leaders Announce Landmark Internet Initiative for Smaller Communities

"The Texas Legislature is showing the rest of the country how good policy can expand access to new technologies more quickly."

Improved Economic Development, Educational Prospects Expected as a Result of 2005 Legislative Action; Governor, Lt. Governor, Speaker Recognized for Their Leadership

Gov. Rick Perry joined Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and House Speaker Tom Craddick and other legislative leaders today to announce a landmark technology investment, the result of bipartisan legislation that is bringing high speed Internet service to 71 small communities around the state.

This initiative will fulfill an unprecedented digital commitment. When this initiative is completed by the end of this year, every switching location in Texas served by AT&T (NYSE:T), the state’s largest communications company, will be capable of providing high speed digital subscriber line (DSL) Internet service. The complete DSL buildout will give communities as small as Catarina (population: 135) in Dimmit County access to high speed Internet service.

"When I asked the Legislature to update Texas’ communications laws in my State of the State address before the 2005 session, this is exactly the outcome I knew we would see if we did the job right," said Perry. "This is a perfect example of how good policies lead to good things for Texas."

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