Peña: Pharr Connect now offers two gigabytes symmetrical to our small business community

PHARR, Texas – Now that the City of Pharr has cornered the market on residential customers for its blazing fast fiber internet service – Pharr Connect – it has turned its attention to the business community.

Jose Peña, the city’s IT director, made a pitch to the international trade community at a luncheon hosted at the Pharr International Bridge by the Pharr Bridge Board.

“Our (Pharr Connect) residential service has really taken off. It’s been amazing. We have over 12,000 subscribers today, which is over 52 percent. Hopefully, at our next city commission meeting, we’ll be adding three new projects that hopefully can give us another 1,000 homes,” Peña told the Rio Grande Guardian, soon after he had made his presentation. 

“So, yes, definitely, residential has done very well and so now we’re focusing our efforts on the commercial sector to give businesses the same benefits, those cost savings, that our residents have enjoyed for the last couple of years.”

Asked what his pitch is to the commercial sector, Peña said:

“For our commercial community, our prices are very competitive, but what we always want to set ourselves apart with is the service that we provide. We’re a managed services internet service provider.”

Peña continued: “We’re here to serve our businesses. We’ll help them connect anything that they need. We’ve got offerings for our small business community as well as for our enterprise customers as well. But again, we’re here to serve and that’s our primary focus, and hopefully it will differentiate us and keep our customers happy.”

Asked what speeds Pharr Connect offers, Peña said: “Our speeds are amazing. We’ve got plans going up to two gigabytes symmetrical to our small businesses, and we actually have services going up to 10 gigs symmetrical to our enterprise customers. This is for those that might require those custom service offerings.”

Here is a video recording of the Guardian’s interview with Peña:

Pharr Connect Digital Literacy Program

Pharr residents learn digital skills. (Photo credit: City of Pharr)

It was put to Peña that his department and the City of Pharr was always winning awards for its fiber internet service.

Asked what the last award was for, he said: “The last one was through Broadband Nations. We were a finalist for one of their awards. But looking forward to this year (we hope to win an award for our)… our digital literacy training classes (are going well). We have students and residents coming in with to our building every morning and evening. So it’s really good now seeing that program really launch. And, you know, we continue to hand out laptops at the end of all the classes.”

The Pharr Connect Digital Literacy Program is has been funded through a $3.2 million grant from Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. (MHM). The three-year program, running thru 2026, aims to bridge the digital divide and promote health equity by enhancing digital literacy, expanding access to technology, and providing valuable resources to Pharr residents.

Those who complete the training not only gain essential computer and internet skills but also receive a new laptop upon graduation. Classes are offered in beginner and intermediate levels in both English and Spanish. Each class accommodates about 20 students at a time. The courses run from four to seven weeks depending on skill level. 

Overall, Methodist Healthcare Ministries is investing over $21 million across South Texas to promote digital equity and ensure that communities have access to broadband, devices, and the skills to use technology effectively.

“At Methodist Healthcare Ministries, we believe that by investing in advancing digital equity, we are not just helping communities to bridge the digital divide, but are also empowering them to access opportunities, connect with vital resources, and take charge of their well-being,” said Jaime Wesolowski, president & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries.

“Our commitment to funding digital equity, evidenced by this investment across Texas, is a testament to our belief that everyone deserves the tools and skills to thrive in the digital age.”

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