Broadband update

 

Firefly lights the way to connectivity

The Goochland broadband desert came closer to extinction on September 6 when county supervisors enthusiastically voted to participate in the Regional Internet Service Expansion (RISE)project.

Bringing high speed internet to un and underserved places in the county—they are all over the place—has been a continual toothache for residents and elected officials. RISE (https://www.fireflyva.com/rise/) will get the job done by the end of 2025. (Listen to the presentation by Firefly broadband at about the one-hour mark on the video of the September 6 meeting available at the “watch county meetings” tab of the county website https://www.goochlandva.us/)

Two years ago, Goochland launched a renewed effort to expand broadband in the county. Since that time, the county pursued grants and sought partners to bring high speed internet to every corner of Goochland. Firefly Broadband, a wholly owned subsidiary of Central Virginia Electric Coop, and Port 80 Internet Services are working to get the job done. Firefly in the upper end, Port 80 in more central Goochland.

Gary Wood, President and CEO of Firefly explained that RISE is a partnership comprised of Goochland County, Firefly, Dominion Power, Rappahannock Electric, and the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission, which will act as the “bookkeeper” for the initiative.

Adding power companies to the mix seems to have been the game changer. Somewhere along the way electric utilities realized that if they can deliver electricity to rural locations, they could deliver broadband too. Regulatory impediments, including prohibiting electric utilities from using their rights of way for anything other than power transmission, should be removed soon. RISE is waiting for approval by the State Corporation Commission for Dominion to provide “middle mile” service with its lines. This means that Dominion will build fiber down the middle of its “three phase lines and large taps” and lease it to Firefly who will then do extensions to connect to homes. Firefly will use its extensive experience in the field to guide installation and construction of the fiber. Firefly will run the retail internet service and perform all fiber maintenance.

The total cost of RISE is estimated at $25,220,000. Construction costs will be divided up among the partners with the power companies paying $17,532,500; a Virginia Telecommunications Initiative (VATI) grant $4,050,000; and Goochland County $3,637,500. American Rescue Plan funds, in addition to money already set aside for broadband expansion will cover the county’s portion. Wood was confident that the cost estimates were accurate.

Wood said that some Goochland residents, across the James River form Cartersville have already been connected to Firefly. Shannon Hill is next up, with locations there connected early next year.

A “long extension” program, expected to be put in place by the Commonwealth of Virginia, will help connect homes that are a long way from fiber cables. He pledged that if the state program does not come to pass, Firefly will “find a way” to get those locations connected. Firefly will extend up to 2,500 feet from “the main backbone” to connect users.

Firefly internet uses fiber optic cable, not Wi-Fi, to bring broadband to homes and businesses. It has identified 2,765 unserved “passings” or locations in the county that will have internet access by the end of 2025. Wood said that Goochland soils are a little better than rockier ground to the west, which should speed fiber installation.

Wood explained that it could take up to eight months to get connected after the Firefly trucks first “show up in your driveway” as infrastructure is installed. He said that Firefly will communicate its actions to keep everyone informed as construction proceeds.

During the county’s September 14 meeting with its Virginia General Assembly delegation, District 2 Supervisor Neil Spoonhower said that RISE is a real way forward. Fixing the broadband problem has been the supervisors’ number one priority. During Covid, the lack of broadband forced students to do their homework sitting in a car in the parking lot of a fire-rescue station with a Wi-Fi hotspot; business owners to drive 20 miles to place orders; and made communities of faith unable to connect with each other through virtual worship. He asked the delegation for its help in removing red tape from this path.