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Texas Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellite Grant Program
With support from the Broadband Infrastructure Fund, the Broadband Development Office (BDO) has dedicated up to $30 million to create the Texas LEO Satellite Program (LEO Program). The LEO Program is a pilot program to assess the feasibility of using LEO satellite technology to expand broadband service capacity to hard-to-reach locations.
Program Details
The LEO Program is a competitive grant program that seeks to award funds to qualified LEO providers for the purpose of building high-speed, low-latency satellite internet access and capacity to eligible locations, particularly in rural areas facing significant barriers to digital connectivity. The initial pilot phase will focus on areas of the state that did not attract competitive bids in prior grant programs, and it will encompass a limited block of initial network reservations, plus additional blocks of reservations as the number of subscriptions increase. The BDO will periodically evaluate the program’s impact and success, including the total number of subscriptions, before determining the feasibility of a potential statewide expansion effort.
Eligible Locations
Eligibility for the pilot phase of the program is limited to broadband serviceable locations (BSLs), such as homes, businesses and community anchor institutions, located in the following counties that meet the state’s definition for an unserved location:
- Brewster County.
- Culberson County.
- Hudspeth County.
- Jeff Davis County.
- Presidio County.
Prospective subscribers looking to take advantage of this program at their home or business must subscribe through the selected provider. More details on how residents can subscribe will be provided following award decisions.
Note: The BDO will not pay for subscription services. Subscribers will be responsible for all costs associated with their subscription agreement.
Initial LEO Program NOFA Withdrawn
The BDO has withdrawn the original LEO Satellite Program Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) and Request for Applications published on April 9.
After careful consideration, this decision reflects a need to more specifically address program requirements under Gov’t Code 490I.0106 (e).
LEO Satellite Program NOFA Reissuance
Applications due June 18
The BDO published a second NOFA on June 2, again seeking applications from qualified internet service providers offering retail LEO internet services. Following the application window, the BDO will evaluate all eligible applications and expects to notify awardees by summer 2025. The program's NOFA describes the application submission and evaluation processes.
Clarifying Questions and Responses
Potential applicants may submit written questions regarding the published NOFA via email to the BDO no later than June 6 at 2 p.m. CT. For detailed instructions on submitting requests for clarification, refer to Section II.H of the NOFA.
Following the question submission deadline, the BDO will publish all responses and any necessary updates to the solicitation through an addendum process.
Following this deadline, the BDO will not respond to inquiries regarding programmatic guidelines, the evaluation status of an application submission or the pendency of grant awards beyond publicly disclosed information. Failure of a potential or current applicant or any of its representatives to observe these restrictions may result in disqualification of any related application.
Challenge Period
In accordance with state statute, the BDO will operate a 30-day challenge period immediately following the publication of application information for all accepted proposals on the BDO’s website. During this period, any interested party may submit a challenge relating to whether an applicant or a proposed project is eligible for an award or should not receive an award based on the application using criteria prescribed by the BDO.
Detailed guidance on the challenge process will be available soon.
All application details, including proposal format, timelines and challenge process information, will be published on this page. Check back regularly for updates.
Award Notifications
Summer 2025
Awardees will have 30 days from award notification to sign the LEO Program grant agreement.
Resources
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