Hidalgo County Internet Connectivity Project

About the Program

Category: Information Technology (Best in Category)

Year: 2022

One of the first safety measures taken at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic was stopping in-class instruction. This immediately created a learning challenge for thousands of school children with no internet access. The leadership of Hidalgo County set aside CARES Act funding to provide free internet to kids and their families. Launched in August 2020, the first phase was targeted for completion by December 2020 per initial CARES Act spending criteria. In just months, Hidalgo County worked with local schools; identified broadband limitations; determined necessary infrastructure; and chose a vendor to implement the strategy. Hidalgo County forged agreements with electrical providers, school districts, and incorporated cities to develop a mesh WIFI network that one vendor said is now the nation’s largest. It provides free internet to 37,200 school children, enables distance learning, and give families the ability for telework and telemedicine. Users now draw one terabyte of data every day.