In Bedford County, four internet service providers (ISPs) are actively pursuing letters of support from county officials, aiming to bolster their applications for grant funding intended for extending broadband service to unserved areas and achieving universal high-speed access throughout the county. The providers seeking this crucial support are ZiTEL, Verizon, RiverStreet Networks, and Comcast, all of which have a notable presence in the region.
The BEAD Program and Its Significance
The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program provides Virginia with a tremendous chance to finalize broadband access across the state, a critical step in ensuring all residents benefit from high-speed internet. With an allocation of $1.48 billion in BEAD funds, the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is dedicated to extending broadband infrastructure to the state’s remaining unserved locations. Bedford County alone has identified 2,700 such locations. According to John Putney, the county’s broadband manager, tapping into these BEAD funds can significantly help cover more than 2,000 unserved locations in the county and bring Bedford County closer to achieving functional universal coverage.
Each of the four ISPs requesting support letters has an established presence in Bedford County, maintaining a history of positive interactions with county officials and a record of delivering projects on time and within budget. This track record positions them well to further their work with the new BEAD program. These endorsement letters from the county are highly sought after because they account for 10% of the application scoring criteria when reviewed and awarded by zip code tabulation areas across the county.
The Role of County Officials
Erik Smedley, the county engineer, explained that endorsing these four providers would support Bedford County’s preference for reliable and efficient firms. County Administrator Robert Hiss observed that while an unproven ISP might submit a lower bid and obtain a BEAD grant without an endorsement, having three locally endorsed options would provide a better chance of achieving the county’s desired outcomes. The importance of endorsements emphasizes the county’s commitment to partnering with trusted providers and ensuring the success of the broadband expansion initiatives.
Over the last five years, Bedford County has collaborated with these four companies on various grant-supported broadband projects. ZiTEL, for instance, plans to apply for every eligible BEAD address in the county, expecting a two-year build-out for those locations. Rodney Gray, ZiTEL’s CEO, emphasized the company’s dedication to meeting Bedford County’s broadband needs and requested that the board exclusively support ZiTEL’s BEAD application to expedite service provision to thousands of addresses within a two-year timeframe.
ISP Plans and Proposals
Comcast intends to apply for approximately half of the BEAD addresses in Bedford County, proposing a two- to three-year buildout. The targeted areas include Montvale, Chamblissburg, Goodview, Moneta, Goode, Forest, and Boonsboro. Tami Watkins from Comcast highlighted the deployment of roughly 130 miles of new fiber, aiming to bring high-speed internet to over 4,000 homes and businesses in these regions.
RiverStreet Networks plans to address gaps in its current service footprint in southeastern Bedford County by applying for around 500 BEAD addresses. Rob Taylor of RiverStreet Networks indicated that this application serves as a defensive strategy to maintain and expand their coverage in those specific areas. The company’s focus on filling service gaps is crucial in ensuring continuous and reliable broadband coverage for residents in these underserved locations.
Verizon plans to cover the majority of BEAD addresses across Bedford County, expressing confidence in their ability to complete all projects within the BEAD program’s four-year window. The company anticipates shorter project timelines in areas adjacent to existing infrastructure, allowing for efficient integration and expansion. Verizon’s commitment to rapid and comprehensive broadband deployment will be a significant factor in the county’s overall connectivity improvements.
Perspectives of County Supervisors
Supervisor Bob Davis expressed strong support for exclusively endorsing ZiTEL, citing the company’s reliability and consistent track record of completing projects on time and within budget. Supervisor Charla Bansley also praised ZiTEL, emphasizing their efforts to provide broadband in rural areas where other providers have not ventured. These endorsements underscore the value placed on proven service providers in driving the county’s broadband expansion goals.
On the other hand, Supervisor Edgar Tuck proposed a broader approach by endorsing all four ISPs, advocating for equal competition for BEAD funds. Supervisor John Sharp shared this viewpoint, arguing that supporting all four companies would demonstrate Bedford County’s preference for partnering with familiar, reliable entities. County Administrator Hiss concurred, recommending support for all four ISPs to protect the county’s interests and ensure a competitive and fair process.
Next Steps for Decision Making
In Bedford County, four internet service providers (ISPs), specifically ZiTEL, Verizon, RiverStreet Networks, and Comcast, are actively seeking letters of support from county officials. Their goal is to strengthen their applications for grant funding aimed at expanding broadband service to underserved and unserved areas, ensuring universal high-speed internet access across the county. The involvement of these companies, each of which holds a significant presence in the region, underscores the important objective of widening internet access. By obtaining the necessary support from county officials, these ISPs hope to secure the necessary grant funding that will allow them to extend their networks into areas that currently lack adequate broadband service. This initiative reflects a broader effort to bridge the digital divide and provide equitable internet access to all residents, facilitating improved educational opportunities, economic development, and overall quality of life. The collaboration between the ISPs and county officials is a crucial step toward achieving comprehensive high-speed internet coverage for Bedford County.
