News
Lyte Fiber has been awarded $57.8 million to expand internet access across Marion and Navarro counties through the state’s BOOT II Program.
By: Brad Randall, Broadband Communities
A Houston-based internet service provider (ISP) will connect more than 6,700 locations across two rural Texas counties.
The undertaking, to occur in Marion and Navarro counties, will be funded by $57.8 million from the state and $11 million from Lyte Fiber, the ISP behind the effort announced this week.
Public money for the project was awarded through the state’s Bringing Online Opportunities to Texas (BOOT) II Program, according to Lyte Fiber.
The program, a competitive grant initiative run by the Texas Comptroller’s Broadband Development Office, is funded by the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund and the Texas Broadband Infrastructure Fund, Lyte Fiber’s release explained.
In total, the project aims to provide access to “more than 6,750 unserved or underserved rural homes and businesses,” Lyte Fiber announced.
Carter Old, the ISP’s CEO, said Lyte Fiber is honored to be entrusted with the project as a Texas-based company.
“This significant funding award underscores Lyte Fiber’s unwavering commitment to building cutting-edge, lightning-fast, future-ready fiber infrastructure across Texas,” Old said, according to Lyte Fiber’s announcement.
In addition to connecting unserved and underserved locations, the project will install 900 miles of fiber in both counties, the announcement stated.
Other recent headlines about Lyte Fiber
Lyte Fiber lights up first customers in Baytown, Texas (Jan. 2025)
Lyte Fiber begins network construction in East Texas city (Jan. 2025)
Comments from Greg Conte, Director of the Texas Broadband Development Office, were also included in Lyte Fiber’s release.
Conte praised the project.
“This investment in broadband expansion is not solely about laying fiber; it’s about supporting economic growth, educational opportunities, healthcare access, and an overall enhanced quality of life for Texans in rural and underserved areas,” Conte said. “We are dedicated to ensuring that all Texans have access to the internet speeds necessary to succeed in today’s digital landscape.”
Get content like this delivered to your inbox. Subscribe to the Broadband Communities newsletter.
Learn more about Broadband Communities Summit 2025 in Houston.
