Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Broadband topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
All Points: Fauquier broadband project moving, but make‑ready and VDOT permitting shape timeline
Summary
All Points reported 25 miles of fiber built, a minimum regional funding commitment of about $37 million (state, county and partners), and a projected first customer activation in July 2025; make‑ready pole work, undergrounding decisions, and BEAD eligibility were cited as key constraints.
Tom Innes of All Points updated the Fauquier County Board of Supervisors on Nov. 14 about construction progress and federal funding opportunities for the county’s fiber‑to‑the‑home project.
The big picture: All Points and Dominion have committed a minimum of about $37 million to the regional project (the presenter cited roughly $14.6 million at the state level and a Fauquier ARPA commitment of $10.5 million). The network is intended to serve the approximately 9,600 locations originally scoped as "unserved;" a newly announced federal program (BEAD/BEED) has added roughly 3,000 eligible in‑county locations that All Points plans to pursue via separate applications.
Schedule and constraints
- Construction progress: Innes said 25 miles of last‑mile fiber are constructed so far; last‑mile construction is estimated at 325 miles total, with a conservative build pace of about 6 miles per week (faster throughput possible if permits allow).
- Make‑ready and permitting: The primary near‑term constraints are utility make‑ready (pole attachment work) and the number of VDOT permits allowed open at once in a residency, which may limit weekly throughput; in many cases the project is moving some segments underground because make‑ready costs make undergrounding relatively more economical.
- BEED/BEAD and eligibility: A federal program (BEED in Virginia) will certify locations by ZCTA. The company expects a November/December certification step and an application period early next year; All Points expects to apply for BEED in areas where eligibility shifted and to seek local board endorsement when designs are ready.
Pricing and consumer details
All Points said list price for the consumer service will be $59 per month including standard Wi‑Fi; the provider offers higher tiers and unlimited data with an initial gigabit package. Innes said there is a modest $5 provisioning fee and no standard data cap for residential service.
Board questions
Supervisors pressed about the July 2025 first‑service target, whether the county’s escrowed ARPA funds have been posted (staff confirmed the county deposited its $10.5 million into the regional commission escrow), and what the county can do legislatively to reduce permitting constraints. Innes said the state is aware and has set up limited make‑ready funding to help projects, and All Points will coordinate with staff on legislative requests and periodic construction reports.
The board did not take an immediate vote on the BEED component but requested continued coordination and updates.
