Approximately 180 new homes in 6 local Eastern Shore communities are now eligible for fiber optic residential broadband service.
EXMORE, VA. (May 8, 2017) — The Eastern Shore of Virginia Broadband Authority (ESVBA) is expanding its residential fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) pilot program.
The FTTH test project was started last September in Harborton, Virginia. Now, less than eight months later, more than 10% of the homes there have successfully connected through the ESVBA’s FTTH project. Based on this early program success, the ESVBA has decided to expand the program to two new areas. The program expansion will bring fiber optic broadband service to ~180 additional homes in an area previously unserved and underserved by terrestrial fiber.
“Fiber to the Home offers a number of benefits to our area including more secure and reliable Internet connectivity, increased home values, and faster upload and download speeds for residents,” Executive Director Nicholas Pascaretti said. “We’re really excited that our Board of Directors approved expanding this initiative.”
Residences fronting the current ESVBA fiber route in Keller, Bobtown, & Pungoteague,(along Gospel Temple Rd., Hollies Church Rd., Beacon Rd., Adams Crossing, Center St, and Bobtown Rd. Between Hollies Church Rd., & Harborton Rd.) are now all eligible to participate. Additionally, the ESVBA is extending its residential FTTH infrastructure to reach residences in Machipongo, Johnstown, & Church Neck (along Bayside Rd., between Young Street and Church Neck Rd., and along Church Neck Rd. from Bayside Rd. to the Heron Dr).
The Eastern Shore fiber network currently consists of several hundred miles of fiber. Start up investment from the both Accomack and Northampton Counties was used to fund the initial network build out but was paid back to taxpayers in full by the fall of 2015. Now, 100% self-sustaining, the ESVBA’s next network expansion project will be funded in its entirety through the responsible reinvestment of customer operating fees. The ESVBA continues to remain dedicated to improving broadband connectivity for all residents of Virginia’s Eastern Shore.
For maps of the new FTTH coverage areas or to learn more about the Eastern Shore of Virginia broadband Authority, please visit www.esvba.com.
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kind of slow isn’t it ?…how do they chose the areas where they go first? how about tackling cell phone service while they are at it… I know we are a rural area…but so is India..and check out the broadband and cell service they get !!!!