The state of Virginia has unveiled a $12 million initiative to bring broadband to rural areas.
"Consistent with our economic development strategy, we are announcing a dramatic leap forward in the ability of rural Virginia to connect to the world," says Virginia Gov. Mark R. Warner. "Through this investment of tobacco settlement proceeds, southside Virginia, connected to similar investments in southwest Virginia, over 25 towns, cities and counties of rural Virginia will have access to the latest broadband technology. This investment, serving as a model in the South and our nation, will certainly get the attention of new employers and investors looking to tap the potential of southside and southwest Virginia."
The Regional Backbone/Roots of Progress Initiative (RBI) will create 700 miles of new fiber optic cable that will connect 5 cities, 20 counties, 56 industrial parks and provide high-speed Internet access to nearly 700,000 citizens and more than 19,000 businesses throughout Virginia at a 20 percent reduction in high-speed Internet access costs. Construction is scheduled to begin in October and expected to be completed by January 2006.
The initiative -- which allows an open-access advanced broadband network that will provide wholesale dark fiber and managed high-speed bandwidth services to rural Virginia where services do not currently exist – is expected to bring increased competition from CLECs and ISPs as well as other competitive carriers, which should result in lower costs for high-speed Internet connections for citizens.
"This initiative is the cornerstone investment by the Tobacco Commission, and will serve as the lasting testament to the commitment of not only the Commission, but the Commonwealth to revitalize Southside Virginia," says Virginia Sen. Charles R. Hawkins, chairman of the Virginia Tobacco Commission. “Coupled with our grants for the broadband telecommunications links in southwest Virginia, we are creating a seamless network that will literally connect most of rural Virginia to the rest of the planet. It will open new markets for entrepreneurs, enhance the competitiveness of our existing businesses, and work to attract the types of employers we need to prepare our communities for the new century."
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