As the new school year kicks off, students, teachers, and staff at Bandera ISD are stepping into a new era of connectivity thanks to BEC Fiber. We’re proud to announce that all Bandera ISD campuses are now powered by our lightning-fast fiber internet—just in time for back to school.
In today’s classrooms, reliable internet is more than just a convenience—it’s a necessity. From digital textbooks and online testing platforms to virtual learning tools and advanced STEM programs, education relies on bandwidth. By partnering with Bandera ISD, BEC Fiber ensures that every classroom, office, and lab across the district has the speed and stability needed to support modern learning.
But what does that really mean for the district? We spoke with David Brown, Technology Director at Bandera ISD, who has been with the district for 22 years, to find out.
What was the district’s internet setup like before switching to BEC Fiber?
“Slow, unreliable, frustrating, and expensive,” Brown recalled.
The shift to fiber began when district leadership noticed BEC was installing public Wi-Fi along Main Street in Bandera. That sparked a simple but life-changing phone call.
“We saw that BEC was installing Wi-Fi along Main Street in Bandera and called to see if it would be possible to connect our district to BEC—best call we have ever made!” Brown said.
The transition was smooth, thanks to BEC Fiber’s commitment to the community. Brown shared that the team often reprioritized their buildout plans to ensure all four campuses were connected promptly—no small feat.
“BEC Fiber went out of their way to run fiber to our campuses,” Brown noted. “They continue to grow with BISD to meet our future needs.”
Impact Beyond the Connection
BEC Fiber is more than fast—it’s reliable. The district uses the connection to power everything from its Student Information System and Voice-Over-IP phone systems (with over 350 classroom extensions) to email, payroll, security cameras, door access, HVAC energy management, and more.
“BEC Fiber is very reliable and has never gone down,” Brown said.
The benefits extend directly to the classroom. Bandera ISD is a one-to-one Chromebook district, and students rely on Google Classroom, blended learning models, and a variety of online instructional tools. BEC Fiber’s high-speed connection ensures these digital resources work seamlessly.
“Now, an entire classroom can watch educational videos at the same time on their Chromebooks. You would have to have been here a long time to remember just how bad the Internet service was under our old provider,” Brown shared.
The advantages were especially clear during the COVID-19 pandemic. When in-person learning paused, the district pivoted quickly, using fiber-powered campus parking lots to provide internet access for students and parents to download assignments and upload completed work from their cars.
A Long-Term Investment
BEC Fiber’s partnership with BISD isn’t a one-time install—it’s a long-term collaboration. Working through the federal E-Rate program, BEC Fiber helps the district continually upgrade bandwidth and campus-to-campus connectivity via its Wide-Area Network (WAN). Upcoming plans include extending fiber to athletic stadiums, the Ag Barn, Building Trades, and gymnasiums.
“BEC Fiber continues to grow with BISD to meet our future needs,” Brown said. “They are always ready to help us fix internal network issues and make our district better for staff and students.”
Advice to Other Districts?
Brown’s message is clear: “BEC Fiber is part of our community and continually goes the extra mile to meet all of our connectivity needs.”
He praised BEC Fiber’s personalized service and the people behind the connection, including Shane Schmidt, Allen Marshall, and BJ Simpson.
“Kudos to Shane, Allen, and BJ for supporting the growing needs of BISD!”
Investing in the Future
BEC Fiber’s investment in Bandera ISD reflects a broader mission: to bridge the digital divide in the Texas Hill Country. Every student—no matter their zip code—deserves access to the tools they need to succeed. Fiber internet brings more than speed—it brings opportunity.
As the school year begins, we’re excited to see how this enhanced connectivity will empower teachers, engage students, and support the families of Bandera. Here's to a year of learning without limits—because at BEC Fiber, we’re not just connecting classrooms. We’re building the future, one fiber at a time.