All Points Broadband Provides Update on High-Speed Internet Expansion in Warren County

The Warren County Board of Supervisors received a progress update from Tom Innes of All Points Broadband on the county’s broadband expansion efforts. The update focused on two major projects—the VATI initiative and the BEAD program—which aim to provide high-speed internet to thousands of rural homes.

VATI Project Timeline and Funding

The Virginia Telecommunications Initiative (VATI) project is a large-scale effort spanning eight counties, including Warren. Funded through a combination of state, local, and private investments, the project aims to provide broadband access to 32,000 locations across the region.

• $126 million from All Points Broadband
• $97 million from the VATI grant
• $62.5 million from county partners, including $6.9 million from Warren County’s ARPA funds

The project is being managed through the Northern Shenandoah Valley Regional Commission, which has coordinated efforts between the participating counties.

Construction and Activation Timeline

Innes outlined key dates for Warren County’s broadband rollout.

• Initial construction is scheduled to begin in July 2025.
• Network activation will begin in September 2025.
• The project deadline is June 30, 2026, though homeowner connections will continue beyond that date.

Innes emphasized that service will not be deployed all at once across the county. Instead, the rollout will occur in phases, using a system of fiber service areas (FSAs). Each FSA will be connected to a central cabinet before extending out to homes.

“We are not going to build the entire county out, then start activation, then start connecting homes,” Innes said. “We will be going fiber service area by fiber service area, doing construction, network activation, and attaching homes.”

Once updated, a finalized map of these service areas and a construction schedule will be shared with county officials.

BEAD Program and Future Broadband Expansion

The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program is a federal initiative to cover areas not included in VATI. Virginia has received $1.48 billion from the program, part of a $42 billion national effort.

A key aspect of the BEAD program is that no county funds are required. Instead, funding comes from federal sources and a 25 percent match from broadband providers.

“The state is confident that there is more than enough money in this BEAD fund to get to these locations,” Innes said.

The BEAD program targets areas without access to speeds of at least 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload. Locations previously considered “served” under outdated definitions, such as homes with DSL internet, may now qualify.

The federal government requires Virginia to submit its BEAD implementation plan by July 2024, ensuring broadband access to all eligible locations. Applications opened in December 2023 and are due by March 2024.

How Residents Can Check Availability

Residents can check if their home is included in the broadband expansion by visiting allpointsbroadband.com  and entering their address. Homeowners can sign up for email notifications about project updates if a location is within a planned service area.

A state website provides an interactive map showing unserved locations for those in BEAD-eligible areas. Innes acknowledged that the map is difficult to navigate and offered to assist those who have trouble checking addresses.

Installation Costs and Subscription Plans

Pricing for broadband service under the VATI program will follow the same structure across all participating counties.

• A $199 installation fee covers all service drop lengths, including homes with long driveways, for the first 12 months after service is available in their fiber service area.
• Internet plans include speeds up to 1 Gbps, though full pricing details will be provided as service becomes available.

Residents not registering for installation within the initial 12-month window may have to pay additional costs for longer service drops.

Workforce and Construction Challenges

Board members asked about potential delays, given that All Points Broadband is currently focused on Augusta and Rockingham counties before reaching Warren. Innes reassured them that the company had secured the necessary materials and contracted major construction crews to operate in multiple counties simultaneously.

“The challenge is not labor or equipment,” Innes said. “It’s getting the necessary permits, particularly from VDOT, and ensuring that make-ready work on utility poles is completed.”

Next Steps

As broadband construction ramps up, All Points Broadband will work closely with Rappahannock Electric Cooperative and county officials to keep residents informed.

“We want to make sure people have a clear understanding of when to expect service in their area,” Innes said.

The company plans to provide county officials with regular updates, including maps and service timelines, as more information becomes available.