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East Texans suffer from the worst internet, state survey reveals

East Texans are among the groups of people who face the most hurdles when trying to connect to the internet, according to the broadband office’s survey.

UPSHUR COUNTY, Texas — EDITOR'S NOTE: This story is part of a series exploring high-speed internet expansion efforts in East Texas leading into 2024.

Jeff Johnson lives 15 miles outside of Gilmer in rural Upshur County. He’s been paying about $110 per month for satellite internet service, “and it ain’t worth a crap,” he said.

His experience isn’t unique. Northeast Texas has the state’s slowest internet speeds, least reliable internet connections and the highest average monthly costs for service, according to a survey released by the Texas Broadband Development Office.

Credit: Les Hassell/News-Journals File Photo
Fiber technician Jesse Clendenen with Sparklight installs a fiber-optic internet connection to a home in Longview.

And as the office considers ways to expand people’s access to broadband internet, which is high-speed internet, they’re hoping to hear from people like Johnson.

Read more from our CBS19 paper partner, Longivew News-Journal here.

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