The campaign’s goal is to get a minimum of 300-500 speed tests taken throughout the county. This data will help provide an accurate look at Stafford’s broadband availability as well as any broadband dead zones.
“Broadband has become a “utility,” similar to gas, electric, and telephone service, and not just a convenience,” said Chairman of the Stafford Board of Supervisors Mark Dudenhefer. “With our award-winning schools, campuses for Germanna Community College and the University of Mary Washington, diverse business base, and growing military presence, Stafford County needs community-wide broadband coverage so that our residents, students, and business owners can get connected to the Internet no matter where they are – home, work, or school.”
Getting countywide Broadband access has long been a goal of Stafford’s Telecommunications Commission, which is made up of seven volunteer citizens appointed to serve by the Board of Supervisors. "We hear from citizens all the time about the lack of broadband access in their neighborhoods," said Bob Thomas, Chairman of the Telecommunications Commission. "As more jobs move to the area, especially with BRAC and the businesses that will come here to support that effort, we are working toward ensuring that more Stafford residents and businesses can access the Internet from any location."
The Board of Supervisors appointed a subcommittee of Board members to work with the Telecommunications Commission on expanding broadband in Stafford. Vice Chairman Paul Milde, Aquia District, and Supervisor Gary Snellings, Hartwood District, are working with the Commission to build a business case for providers to expand their Internet access services to citizens, especially those who live along the western and eastern boundaries of Stafford, such as in Hartwood and the Marlborough Point areas.
To participate in this campaign, county residents, business owners, students, and others are asked to visit http://acceleratevirginia.org and take a two-minute speed test.
Upon completion of the test, users will see the results of their Internet connections, compared with the connection reports from residences, businesses, etc., that surround that location. Users are also being asked to encourage their friends and family to do the same.
For those who have little or no access to the Internet at their location, these individuals are encouraged to report their broadband dead zone by contacting Accelerate Virginia by phone (540) 231-2270 or email vplymale@vt.edu.
Individuals, local businesses, church groups, and other community organizations are being asked to help spread the word throughout the county by sharing the news via their own communication networks.
“Distributing flyers, making phone calls, sending emails, and sharing links on Facebook and Twitter are just a few easy ways that we can all be a part of something big that has a real impact on our future,” said Patrick Fay of Accelerate Virginia.
Additional tips and resources are available on the Accelerate Virginia website at http://acceleratevirginia.org.
By participating in this campaign and identifying areas in need of broadband, residents will help Stafford improve economic development as well as educational opportunities.
With increased telework availability, more county residents will be able to maintain jobs from their homes. New virtual businesses can start in the county and telework instead of rent office space.
Newcomers to Stafford will be looking for locations that offer access to high-speed Internet. As more and more county residents and business owners provide their connectivity data, the more likely these newcomers will be able to locate options for their new homes and businesses.
The data collected from the speed tests will be used to create a broadband market map that could be used for economic development. This map will provide entrepreneurs, businesses and others moving to and from Stafford County with the information needed to see where Internet access is offered. It will also allow Internet providers to explore new markets.
An additional benefit will be increased exposure to the Internet as a learning tool for students across the county and from all levels of learning, including workforce development, K-12, and higher education sectors.
Accelerate Virginia was launched in 2010 as an extension of the Virginia Tech eCorridors program and aims to measure the broadband availability of the entire state with help from local campaigns and counties such as Stafford.
All of the data collected from the Accelerate Virginia campaign will be used to help build the statewide broadband map, which in turn will identify areas in need of improvement, and ultimately provide faster and more affordable high-speed Internet for all of Virginia.
For more information about Accelerate Virginia or to report a dead zone, please contact Jean Plymale at Accelerate Virginia at vplymale@vt.edu at (540) 231-2270.
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