March-2024 Cooperative Living-SVEC - SVEC18

Co-op Fiber Project Continues as Broadband Activity Picks Up
by Preston Knight, Communication Manager
T
he question, particularly from
unserved members, is oſt en asked
of SVEC, " When will internet be
available to my house? "
It's an inquiry that could be repeated
as the presence of contractors around
SVEC poles in the co-op's service
territory signifi cantly increases, as early
as this month in the southern portion.
Th e short answer is the co-op
doesn't know when a member might get
internet. SVEC is not set to become an
internet service provider and will not
deliver broadband internet to members'
homes and businesses.
Th e confusion might lie in the
co-op's fi ber-optic network project, in
which SVEC is hanging a larger cable
to increase communication capabilities
between its facilities. Th e co-op's unused,
or dark fi ber, may allow any internet
service provider to potentially use it for
delivery of broadband, but either way,
the fi ber will be installed with electric
distribution purposes in mind. Th at
process is underway in the Winchester/
Frederick County area.
Timing could be another factor
for misunderstanding. With state and
federal grant monies (commonly known
with acronyms like VATI and BEAD)
awarded to internet service providers to
make broadband universally available,
but with timing constraints, more
companies have an urgency to attach
their wires to SVEC's poles over the
next 12-18 months. Th ese projects are
separate from SVEC's fi ber initiative
taking place at the same time.
Construction is expected to begin
this spring for a widescale project
spearheaded by All Points Broadband.
Work is to start in Augusta County
before moving to Rockingham County,
and then farther north to Frederick and
Page counties.
Members should be aware all SVEC
contractors have vehicles properly
marked to show they represent the
cooperative. In many cases, for the
16 * Cooperative Living * March 2024
Contractor crews
pull and hang cable
in western Frederick
County as part of SVEC's
fi ber project to connect
electric facilities.
accommodation of broadband,
contractors are responsible for getting
co-op poles ready for additional wires
if attaching to current infrastructure
would lead to violations of national
safety code standards, such as clearance
regulations.
SVEC supports the expansion of
broadband internet service capability
to all areas of its service territory, and
particularly those underserved and
lacking this connectivity now. Th e co-op
has long been accustomed to working
with internet service providers seeking
to attach to poles. Th e diff erence today
is the number of requests for pole
attachments is at an all-time high, and
the clock is ticking for internet service
providers to meet government deadlines
or risk the loss of grant funding.
Th e co-op will continue to work
with outside companies while ensuring
members continue to receive the best
possible value for their electric service.
If you have questions, please contact
SVEC at 1-800-234-7832. You can track
the progress of the fi ber project at svec.
coop/fi ber. *
for Director
Election Petitions
Any members in Rockingham County who wish to run for the board of
directors must submit a petition with 50 signatures by 4 p.m. Monday,
April 1. This is the only board seat up for election in 2024.
Learn more at svec.coop/election.
Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative
http://www.svec.coop/election
March-2024 Cooperative Living-SVEC

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