Last Thursday, the Fauquier, VA supervisors committed $64 million to bring fiber-optic broadband to the county’s underserved areas. Fauquier Now reported that the supervisors, which also serve as the Fauquier County Broadband Authority board, agreed to commit $10.5 million to the project. In addition, state and federal grants would also fund up to 37 percent of costs, and the company building the network will contribute $38.8 million.
Fauquier Now reported that All Points Broadband, a Leesburg-based company, will build the 705-mile fiber-optic network. All Points will partner with Dominion Energy and Rappahannock Electric Cooperative to run fiber to utility poles. According to County Supervisor Chris Granger, the cost to run fiber to each house in underserved areas is $6,000.
All Points Broadband CEO Jimmy Carr said the project will bring service to 10,500 homes and businesses, with four plans to choose from, by early 2024. The basic plan will deliver 50 Mbps download and upload speeds, while the top plan will provide 1 GB of service up and down.
The project is contingent upon whether the $14.7 million Virginia Telecommunication Initiative grant comes through. According to Fauquier Now, the county should find out by year’s end whether the grant is approved.
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