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Telecommunications services to Texas communities
LCRA's telecommunications network includes more than 40 microwave radio towers.

LCRA offers low-cost, reliable telecommunications services to employees and a limited number of communities throughout Central Texas. With more than 40 radio sites strategically scattered within LCRA's service territory, radio coverage reaches from McCulloch, San Saba and Lampasas counties to Dewitt and Matagorda counties along the Gulf Coast. More than 4,500 radio users rely on the LCRA system for their daily communications. LCRA also has the ability to offer collocation tower space and to lease dark fiber.

The following describes the telecom services LCRA offers:

Radio
In 1997, LCRA implemented a 900-megahertz (MHz) trunked radio communications system for use throughout Central Texas. The system was intentionally built with enough capacity to make it available to public sector groups, providing clear reliable communications throughout LCRA's service territory.

More than 30 cities, counties, wholesale customers and other public organizations use LCRA's radio system. Among the customers: the cities of New Braunfels and San Marcos, Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative and Capital Metro.

Here are some details about LCRA's trunked radio system:

  • It can currently handle 16,000 radios (able to upgrade to 40,000) and is capable of both voice and data transmission.
  • It has a data rate of 9,600 bits per second (bps). It is spectrally efficient at 12.5 kilohertz (kHz) and can migrate to 6.25 kHz. The spectrum usage meets all current and proposed Federal Communications Commission requirements.
  • Its mobile coverage is 95 percent within the Colorado River basin and 90 percent elsewhere in Central Texas, providing reliable mobile communications throughout the region.

Optical fiber and microwave
The majority of LCRA's administrative and operational facilities are connected via a transport system comprised of fiber optic cable and digital microwave. The fiber optic lines are installed along electric transmission routes from Buchanan Dam, through Austin, to the Fayette Power Project near LaGrange.

A fiber route also runs from Austin to a substation in Schertz, just north of San Antonio. These fiber routes are then connected with digital microwave to provide the communications backbone necessary to conduct LCRA's day-to-day business.

Telecom community development
Infrastructure is essential to sustain economic development and growth of Texas communities. As a part of the LCRA's commitment to constituent areas, telecommunications services are offered to Texas communities, if available and appropriate.

LCRA offers loaner radios to nonprofit groups needing reliable communications for special events. LCRA also provides information to groups regarding grant opportunities for telecommunications services throughout the state.

Telecom services
LCRA has the authority to offer the following services to its wholesale customers and nonprofit groups:

  • 900 MHz Radio System Use and Equipment
  • Dark Fiber
  • Collocation on tower space
  • Loaner radios
  • Engineering services

In addition, fiber optic services and microwave tower leases are available to for-profit entities.

For additional information, contact the LCRA telecom team at 1-800-776-5272.
COMMUNITY SERVICES

School districts
LCRA has begun working with independent school districts within the service territory to provide reliable radio communications. These school districts are using LCRA's 900 MHz radios system to provide low-cost, efficient communications for administration, campus, bus and maintenance operations.

These radios become a tool that assists the schools with a variety of situations. LCRA works with each school district to tailor the radio systems to meet specific needs. The radios help school personnel solve immediate issues, such as an air-conditioning unit needing attention or dropping students at home on time.

Loaner radio program
LCRA offers loaner radios to nonprofit organizations. These organizations can take advantage of excellent communication technology when they are having a special event within the LCRA service territory. The loaners are issued on an as-needed first come, first served basis. A telecommunications customer service representative can explain the details of this program to interested groups. For more information, contact Whitney Sklar at (512) 482-6393.