Why Has the Broadband Expansion in Culpeper County Stalled Again?
The ongoing effort by All Points Broadband (APB) to bring high-speed internet to more than 4,200 addresses in Culpeper County, Virginia, has met with significant delays, sparking frustration among local officials and residents alike. Despite receiving federal and state funding during the pandemic, along with additional financial support aimed at overcoming these delays, the project remains incomplete. The repeated setbacks have not only inhibited access to essential broadband services but also led to increasing dissatisfaction within the Culpeper County Board of Supervisors, who entered into the contract with APB back in 2020.
Mounting Frustrations from the Board
At the board’s latest meeting, Vice Chairman Gary Deal did not hold back his frustration, describing this situation as the worst interaction he had initiated between local government and a private company. Deal accused APB of disorganization and misleading information, a sentiment shared by other board members at the meeting. The board’s frustration was only exacerbated by the 2020 contract with APB, which notably lacked specific clauses for enforcing hard deadlines or performance guarantees, leaving ample room for delays.
Tom Innes, vice president of business development at All Points, attempted to provide an update at the meeting. Last November, Innes had assured the board that the first customers in Culpeper County would be connected by February. Despite his guarantees, the project faced yet another delay, rendering that timeline impossible to meet. His latest presentation revisited similar promises but failed to alleviate board members’ concerns and even highlighted new challenges complicating the project’s progress. The continual setbacks and lack of progress left board members increasingly dissatisfied with APB’s performance and accountability.
Complications with Utility Poles and Permits
Earlier in the project, All Points planned to use utility poles for attaching broadband equipment across the county. However, complications arose and forced the company to pivot to underground fiber installation. This significant change required a new permitting process and contributed to further delays, frustrating both the board and local residents waiting for the promised broadband service. The shift necessitated securing permits from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), a complex task that has seen little progress.
Currently, APB is in the process of securing 170 separate permits from VDOT to dig underground and lay over 250 miles of fiber across various zones in the county. To date, only a couple dozen permits have been approved, with construction significantly progressing in just the Stevensburg and Winston areas, affecting roughly 250 addresses. VDOT’s slow permit approval process and requirements for traffic control have necessitated extensive back-and-forth communications, further stalling the project’s overall advancement. The situation has left many questioning the feasibility of completing the project within a reasonable timeframe.
Board Members’ Deep Dissatisfaction
Supervisors made no attempt to hide their deep dissatisfaction with APB’s handling of the project. Tom Underwood from the Salem District labeled the company an “abject failure,” while Stevensburg District Supervisor Susan Gugino criticized the lack of progress since the last update in November. Gugino was particularly concerned with Innes’ inability to provide an accurate completion percentage for the project. She also highlighted that the additional state funding secured by APB was essentially to cover previous missteps rather than expedite the project.
Catalpa Supervisor Paul Bates voiced his discontentment by alleging that APB had breached its contract and misused taxpayer money without delivering any substantial results. Bates demanded clear answers regarding when the 4,300 homes would actually receive the promised services. Although Innes assured the board of APB’s financial capacity to borrow money and continue the project, his assurances did little to sway the board, who remained skeptical due to the lack of effective communication and persistent delays. The situation called for immediate and tangible progress.
Lack of Effective Communication and Persistent Delays
The initiative by All Points Broadband (APB) to deliver high-speed internet to over 4,200 households in Culpeper County, Virginia, has been marked by considerable delays, leading to growing frustration among local officials and residents. Despite securing federal and state funding during the pandemic, as well as additional financial assistance to address these setbacks, the project remains unfinished. These ongoing delays have not only hindered access to crucial broadband services but have also caused mounting dissatisfaction within the Culpeper County Board of Supervisors, who had entered into a contract with APB back in 2020. The repeated postponements are a significant barrier to the community’s connectivity needs, impacting daily life and economic opportunities in the area. As frustration continues to grow, residents and local officials alike are calling for a timely resolution to ensure that the long-promised high-speed internet becomes a reality, benefiting all corners of Culpeper County and enhancing overall quality of life.
