GAIL M. WILLIAMS 

Five Area Telephone Cooperative Inc. is one of two rural telecommunications cooperatives to receive a ReConnect Round 3 Award, according to a USDA Rural Development news release. The other cooperative is Central Texas Telephone Cooperative in Lampasas and San Saba counties. 

The amount awarded to Five Area is $16,606,750; Central Texas Telephone Cooperative will receive $9,806,930. 

“We applied under ReConnect 3 and are one of two awardees in Texas,” said Mark Washington, CEO and general manager of Five Area Telephone Cooperative Inc. “We’re excited, but we’re waiting to find how the procedure goes forward to us. We are planning some things, such as a construction project in Five Area to bring high-speed internet to those customers.” 

“This network will connect five exchanges covering 2,000 sq. mi. and will provide 100 meg by 100 meg symmetrical service to these customers,” he added. 

According to a USDA press release, “This Rural Development investment will be used to deploy a fiber-to-the-premises network. … The Cooperative will make high-speed internet affordable by participating in the Federal Communications Commission’s Affordable Connectivity and Lifeline Programs, giving residents discounts on their services. This project will serve socially vulnerable communities in Parmer, Bailey, Cochran and Lamb counties.”