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Lyte Fiber has been preliminarily selected for $142 million in Texas BEAD funding to expand high-speed internet access across seven counties.

By: Brad Randall, Broadband Communities

Lyte Fiber is planning to build out Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) projects across seven Texas counties, the provider announced today.

The Houston-based internet service provider (ISP) said Tuesday they’ve been preliminarily selected for the program’s third largest award in Texas.

Money for the award involves BEAD funds and $23 million from the Texas Match Assistance Program (TMAP), Lyte Fiber announced.

The funding will help extend access to well over 9,000 locations, according to Lyte Fiber.

Additionally, the ISP will invest an additional $40 million to extend the reach of BEAD projects, Lyte Fiber said.

Meanwhile, projects covered under the grant will include work in Bee, Cass, Harris, and Kleberg counties.

Marion, Navarro, and San Patricio counties will also be involved in the scope of work, the ISP reported.

‘The infrastructure Texans need’

Lyte Fiber’s release explained that 96% of locations will be connected with fiber.

The network, once completed, will offer speeds of 10 Gbps, according to Lyte Fiber.

“By combining federal, state, and private resources, we’re delivering the infrastructure Texans need to thrive in today’s economy,” said Marc Eichenbaum, Lyte Fiber’s VP of community development and government affairs. “Every connection we build strengthens a community – helping families, students, and small businesses unlock new opportunities.”

Carter Old, the company’s CEO, said Lyte Fiber is similarly leading out projects in 15 Texas markets.

“These grant award areas are a natural extension of the work we’re already doing – and we can’t wait to get started,” Old said.

Along with 9,700 homes and businesses, Lyte Fiber said the projects would also connect schools and health clinics. Public safety entities and other anchor institutions will also benefit, Lyte Fiber announced.

The latest news is just more momentum for Lyte Fiber.

Back in April Lyte Fiber was additionally awarded $57.8 million to expand internet access across Marion and Navarro counties.

Public money for the project was awarded through the state’s Bringing Online Opportunities to Texas (BOOT) II Program.

As was reported at the time, program is a competitive grant initiative run by the Texas Comptroller’s Broadband Development Office.

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