Broadband

Communities prosper when they gain access to high-speed Internet. Property values increase, businesses grow, and jobs are created. DAAR believes that every American should have access to a high-speed, world-class communications infrastructure. DAAR supports expanded broadband so that there is less reliance upon dial-up or satellite access to the Internet.

DAAR Recommendations

  • Develop a variety of options to encourage quality broadband deployment and adoption, including action by the public and private sector.
  • Bolster communications infrastructure by working with alternate providers to provide services.
  • Examine franchise agreements to determine whether existing providers can help improve services.
  • Preserve the local governmental authority and zoning process that is developed with significant public input.
  • Create a County liaison in an effort to link potential customers with Internet service providers.
  • Explore the creation of a special broadband tax district to offset the infrastructure costs of bringing in the service for users.

Overview

High-speed Internet access, or broadband, is critical to economic opportunity, job creation, education, and civic engagement. Communities prosper when they gain access to high-speed Internet. Property values increase, businesses grow, and jobs are created.

Technological communications ability has become the foundation of the American economy and the platform required for innovation and opportunity. It is a tool every child needs if he or she is to learn and compete in the global economy. Access to affordable communications infrastructure is required to ensure that businesses, large and small, are created here, move here, and stay in our community.

While the numbers of new broadband subscribers continue to grow, the Federal Communications Commission reports in its 2021 (Fourteenth) Broadband Deployment Report that nearly 18.3 million Americans still lack access to broadband internet service. Additionally, although up to 70% of the world’s internet traffic flows through the data centers in eastern Loudoun County each day, many in the western part of the County struggle to get an internet connection.

Background

In June 2018, the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors (BOS) adopted a Broadband Strategic Plan to increase broadband and cellular access in western Loudoun County. The Plan included conducting a study to determine the potential costs to provide broadband Internet services to unserved and underserved areas of western Loudoun County, specifically the potential costs for connecting County facilities with a private Wide-Area-Network (PWAN) to reduce costs in western Loudoun. The study was completed and in July 2019 the Board of Supervisors directed county staff to identify funding needs and procurement options to deploy a network to key county facilities.

Additional Information

Our Focus

Advocate for a variety of options to encourage quality broadband deployment and adoption, including action by the public and private sector.