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$29.6M state grants to expand broadband in 11 localities
Nearly $30 million in Virginia Telecommunication Initiative (VATI) grants will be disbursed among five projects to expand broadband access in 11 localities in the Northern Neck, Southwest and Southern Virginia and Botetourt County, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Tuesday. The projects will connect more than 11,700 households, businesses and institutions to high-speed internet. VATI provides funding [[...]
Five Va., Md.-based electric coops form broadband association
With internet connectivity issues growing in importance during the COVID-19 pandemic, five electric cooperatives in Virginia and Maryland have formed a broadband cooperative association aimed at encouraging the expansion of high-speed internet service in underserved rural areas. The new Maryland and Delaware Association of Broadband Cooperatives (VMDABC) includes Millboro-based BARC Electric Coope[...]
Representing the underdogs
Although it’s hard to think way back to January 2020, a time before a year of social unrest, pandemic and economic peril, that’s when Virginia’s legislature and executive branch became majority-Democrat for the first time since 1993. However, even if some Virginians forgot about this significant shift, Republican lawmakers have not. Just before Thanksgiving, Virginia […]
Shenandoah pushes forward with broadband expansion
Even while getting his teeth cleaned, Michael Keyser can’t escape the topic of broadband expansion. “It’s the only thing they’ll talk about,” the CEO of BARC Electric Cooperative says, recounting a recent discussion with a dental hygienist excited about receiving broadband service. BARC, a member-owned electric utility that serves the Shenandoah Valley, has taken the [&hellip[...]
Wise County is first to receive Starlink internet in Va.
Wise County Public Schools announced Monday it is the first school district in Virginia to use SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet constellation for high-speed internet. Founded by Elon Musk, aerospace company SpaceX designs, manufactures and launches spacecraft and is working to deploy its Starlink system, a constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit that will delivers […]
Six SWVA projects receive ARC funding
More than $3.9 million in funding will go toward recovery health programs, broadband infrastructure expansion, workforce development, natural gas line improvements and rural tourism and job growth efforts in Southwest Virginia, Gov. Ralph Northam announced Monday. The funding will be disbursed through six Appalachian Regional Commission’s (ARC) Partnership for Opportunity and Workforce and E[...]
Kaine introduces legislation to establish HBCU business centers
U.S. Sens. Tim Kaine (D-Virginia) and Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi) announced Tuesday they have introduced the Reaching America’s Rural Minority Businesses Act, which would establish up to 10 minority business centers at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to serve rural and underserved communities. The legislation would authorize the Minority Business Development Agency (MBD[...]
GTT Communications to sell infrastructure division for $2.15B
McLean-based telecommunications company GTT Communications Inc., which provides high-speed internet and cloud networking services to more than 144 countries, announced Friday it will sell its infrastructure division to Miami, Florida-based I Squared Capital for $2.15 billion. Under the definitive purchase agreement, I Squared Capital would obtain GTT’s Pan-European, North American, subsea an[...]
Va. allocates $30M to improve broadband access
Virginia is making $30 million in federal CARES Act funding to improve broadband access in underserved localities. Eligible projects must be completed by the end of the year, which is within the time constraints for spending the federal funding. This would mean more Virginians could get access to high-speed, broadband service before 2020 ends, according […]
JBG Smith purchases broadband spectrum from FCC
JBG Smith announced Monday it has purchased seven blocks of Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) spectrum in Arlington County and Alexandria from the Federal Communications Commission, an acquisition that will allow the Bethesda, Maryland-based developer to build a 5G network in the National Landing area, where Amazon.com Inc. is building its HQ2 East Coast headquarters. […]
McLean satellite operator to buy in-flight broadband biz for $400M
McLean-based communications satellite services provider Intelsat Corp. announced Monday it will acquire in-flight broadband connectivity provider Gogo Inc.’s commercial aviation business for $400 million. Under the acquisition, Intelsat plans to pair its satellite and ground network to Gogo’s base of more than 3,000 commercial aircraft, according to a company statement. The transaction[...]
More than 10% of Va. students don’t have broadband access at home
While Virginia school districts and higher education institutions are finalizing fall plans in light of the pandemic, an analysis released Wednesday by the State Council on Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) shows that more than 200,000 K-12 students and more than 60,000 college students in Virginia lack broadband access at home. These numbers reflect 14% […]
