County strives to provide quality internet to Isla Blanca

By ALEXANDREA BAILEY
editor@portisabelsouthpadrepress.com

Cameron County [CC] and VTX1 recently held a groundbreaking at Isla Blanca Park as part of an ongoing effort to expand broadband internet in Precinct 1.

VTX1 is an internet service provider in Texas.

CC partnered with VTX1 after finding that many areas in the county, especially rural areas, lacked the necessary infrastructure to provide quality internet connectivity during the pandemic, according to CC Commissioner Sofia. C
Benavides. She says the goal behind the partnership is to bridge the digital divide in Cameron County. Benavides hopes the project will improve the quality of life of all citizens of the county, especially students wishing to further
their education at home.

According to the county, CC and VTX1 want to provide affordable high-speed internet: $29.99 a month for 100/50 mbps for new and existing customers.

South Padre Island is the fourth out of five projects VTX1 has committed to, the first three being Bluetown, San Pedro and Lozano. VTX1 has committed to fund these five initial projects for a total estimated cost of ten million dollars. In addition, VTX1 is providing professional grant writing services in pursuit of securing additional funds to expand the project.

According to Benavides, VTX1 Internet will use a combination of Fiber, fixed wireless, and Wi-Fi to fulfill the needs of Isla Blanca Park residents and visitors and is exploring options to provide fiber internet service to the rest of South Padre Island. VTX1 Internet may use Isla Blanca’s new 100ft radio tower to assist with fixed wireless.

Design is underway, and the total cost of the project is dependent on the final design. Construction is scheduled to begin at the end of August, or the beginning of September at the latest, and be completed by December 2024. County Judge Eddie Treviño, Commissioner David Garza, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez, Patrick McNulty, VTX1 CEO, Ana Garcia from the office of Sen. John Cornyn, Joshua Rojas from the Office of Sen. Ted Cruz, State Rep. Janie Lopez and South Padre Island Mayor Patrick McNulty, all attended the groundbreaking at Isla Blanca Park on July 19, 2024.