February – 2022

Emergency Broadband Benefit Program Transitions to the Affordable Connectivity Program

The Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) Program ended on December 30, 2021, and has been replaced with a new program called the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) beginning on December 31, 2021.

Any consumers who enrolled in the EBB Program before 5 p.m. CT on December 30, 2021 will continue to receive their current monthly benefit during the 60-day transition period, which ends on March 1, 2022. After the transition period, the maximum monthly benefit will change from $50 per month to $30 per month for households not located on qualifying Tribal lands. The monthly benefit will remain at up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands.

As with the EBB Program, the ACP will allow subscribers to switch service offerings at any time. All EBB subscribers will receive additional information regarding any necessary follow-up steps or activities required to retain the ACP program benefit after the transition period. Eastex will be updating all program forms and customer reference materials as soon as possible, once more information is made available from the FCC and program administrators.

Please contact our business offices in Henderson at (903) 854-1000, in Livingston at (936) 967-1000 or in Waskom at (903) 687-3600 if you have questions. We also encourage you to read all bill notices, visit the eastex.com website, and follow us on social media for EBB Program and/or ACP announcements. You may follow our Facebook newsfeed @eastexcoop, or our Twitter feed @EastexTelephone.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Don’t forget that special someone. Valentine’s Day is Monday, February 14.

Eastex Scholarship Information

Completed scholarship applications must be returned to Eastex Telephone no later than March 1, 2021.

The applicant must be a high school senior, a member of the immediate family of an active member, and reside within an Eastex Telephone Cooperative, Inc. exchange as of January 1 of the year of application. An active member is defined as a subscriber receiving local service/dial tone from an Eastex Telephone Cooperative, Inc. exchange excluding employees, directors, and their dependents.

Payment Options

In a world that is going paperless, Eastex brings this convenience to our customers in several paperless payment options.

• Credit / Debit Card Payment
  As easy as it gets. Contact your local office and pay your telephone bill with your Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express card.
• Check by Phone
  Simply call Eastex, and we will promptly assist you with this payment option.
• Bank Draft
  Want to pay your bill without even having to think about it? Simply draft it from your selected bank account.
• Pay / View Online
  You can pay and view your telephone bills online! To activate this service please contact your local Eastex Telephone business office and provide a username and password for your account. You will then be able to access your bill online at www.eastex.com/paybill

These services are provided to our customers at no extra cost.

Contact Us Two Working Days Before You Dig!

Don’t get stuck with cut cables. We encourage you to call us before you dig. A representative of Eastex will locate your cable for you absolutely free!

Visit us online at Texas 811 website
or call (800) DIG-TESS or 811.

Your Rights as a Customer

A detailed article of your rights as a customer is provided in the Eastex Telephone Cooperative, Inc. telephone directory. Some of the items covered are rates and services, resolution of billing disputes, alternative payment plans, and your right to a supervisory review by the Cooperative and/or to file a complaint with the Public Utility Commission of Texas. Also listed are business office hours, addresses and telephone numbers, locations where information may be obtained, and where bills may be paid. A notice of non-discrimination is included. This information is printed in English and Spanish.

We encourage you to read the information contained in your telephone directory and to contact your local business office concerning any problems or questions.

This information is provided to you pursuant to part 26.31 of the Public Utility Commission of Texas’ Substantive Rules.