Virginia

Engaging with Local Partners

Virginia hosted several workshops with Internet Service Providers (ISPs), local governments, and community interest groups in the spring and summer to gather feedback on how the state will structure their Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program proposals.

Stakeholder Engagement

Virginia engaged with the Commonwealth's community action agencies across the state by utilizing its Digital Equity Planning Grant funding to provide feedback on the first-ever statewide Digital Opportunity Plan.

Mapping

In partnership with Virginia Tech, the Virginia Office of Broadband identified both missing locations and incorrect provider reported availability data on the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) National Broadband Map. This collaborative participation in the challenge process helped to identify a higher number of eligible locations that may be served through the BEAD program.

Amplifying Investments

In June 2023, U.S. Department of Commerce Deputy Secretary Don Graves hosted a roundtable with small business, ISPs, and community leaders in Loudoun County. The small group session focused on access and affordability, as well as the importance of the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).²²

The FCC’s ACP forms an integral component of the diverse range of measures used by the federal government to tackle the digital divide. These measures are part of the Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth’s (OICG) overall strategy to connect everyone in America to high-speed Internet.