For years, some Albemarle County residents have lacked adequate access to high-speed internet. CenturyLink customers continue to experience broadband and telephone outages, sometimes lasting for days or even weeks. And for many residents, CenturyLink is their only option.
But for some, better internet and phone service is on the way. Thanks to the 2021 Virginia Telecommunications Initiative, the Albemarle Broadband Authority—in partnership with CenturyLink—received a $2.3 million state grant last year to bring fiber broadband to more than 1,000 homes and businesses in the county.
“In this project we are addressing accessibility. We’re taking sub-broadband speeds and bringing them up to fiber speeds,” said Albemarle Broadband Program Manager Jason Inofuentes during a webinar on the initiative last week.
In recent years, expanding broadband access has been a priority for Albemarle. The county’s Broadband Accessibility and Affordability Office was created in 2021 to move forward with those goals, and the county expects to achieve universal internet access by 2025. State investment like the Virginia Telecommunications Initiative will help.
On March 31, Tilman Road, Meriweather Hill, and Snow Hill Lane residents will be able to order the fiber optic service on Q.com, or by calling Quantum Fiber. It will take two to three weeks to set up the service.
“What that launch date represents is that the path for the fiber along the road, in front of your house, through your neighborhood—it’s done,” said Inofuentes. “That is when somebody can string another piece of fiber, connect to this, and service is ready to go.”
Quantum currently offers speeds of up to 200 megabits per second and 940 megabits per second, costing $49 a month and $65 a month, respectively. Up to around 650 feet of fiber is available to residents for free. Those who need additional fiber can pay around $1.55 per foot.
“A lot of homes get covered under that 650 feet,” said Trish Stipanovich, CenturyLink’s Virginia field operations manager. “There are some larger lots that will have that extended [drop]…but you will be given an option on whether you want to proceed [or] not.”
The new fiber optic service first launched on Jones Mill Road and at Old Garth Heights in January. Over the next seven months, service is expected to expand to Gilbert Station Road, Advance Mill, Fray Road, Milton Hills, Box Holly Lane, Taylor’s Gap Road, Campbell Road, Cobham (Keswick), and Stony Point Road.
Before installing the fiber optic cables, Quantum will send a technician to each customer’s house to measure the amount of footage needed for the property. Miss Utility will then locate and mark the public utilities on the land, like electric and gas lines.
“If you do have private utilities on your land, such as electric fences, private wells, and propane lines, you are responsible for contacting Miss Utility 811 to have those utilities located…so that the 811 that we do for the [public] utilities we locate are done in concert with whatever utilities you may have,” said Stipanovich. “When the droppers come, they will be able to see all of the markings.”
Stipanovich encouraged residents to check if service will be available in their neighborhood. Those who live outside of the service area can let Quantum know they are still interested in ordering fiber optic, and provide their contact information on the project’s website. “We’ll connect with you when we have more information,” she said.
CenturyLink plans to share more updates on the project next month. Questions can be directed to ABBA at (434) 296-5891 or baao@albemarle.org.