Broadband is Coming to Rappahannock County

Vision – A rural community where everyone has access to next-generation broadband.

Mission – Bringing affordable Broadband Service to our county one connection at a time while enhancing overall quality of life and serving community needs in accord with our scenic, rural nature.

Objective – Reducing capital/start-up costs and ongoing operating expenses for private sector providers to provide a choice of next-generation broadband access in unserved and underserved areas of our rural community.

Latest Updates

APB gave a presentation to NSVRC on April 15, 2026 with updates on the project status and outlook for the completion of construction.  Their presentation is available here.

The VATI project construction deadline has been provisionally extended to December 31, 2026 per an agreement between NSVRC and DHCD that will be finalized in May 2026.

Locations served under the BEAD grant program will have construction begin in January 2027 and be completed by December 2027.

Construction of the fiber optic network is underway across the county, and the first subscriber was activated for live broadband service in mid-April.

APB has indicated that the transfer speeds for the basic plan will increase, with no increase in cost to customers.

APB has implemented a tracking system for any damages caused by construction.  If your driveway needs repair or for similar issues, email customer-support@allpointsbroadband.com with the following information: your contact info, date of damage, description of issue, pictures of damage.  Note: all info must be provided to open a ticket.

Who We Are

Rappahannock County Broadband Authority (RCBA)

The Rappahannock County Broadband Authority has partnered with All Points Broadband and the Rappahannock Electric Cooperative to bring fiber-optic service to every “unserved” household in Rappahannock County.

The RCBA consists of five members.  It was created in order to have a legal entity that was capable of entering into contracts and financial transactions to further the development of broadband accessibility in the County.

Learn About the Project

Register for Broadband

Register your interest today

Enter your address on the APB registration page and you will be notified when broadband service is available at your location.

There is no commitment by submitting your address, and you may submit your home and/or business location.

Register for Broadband

Summary map of Low Level Design with Fiber Service Areas designated by the colored sections. Source: All Points Broadband.

Project Timeline

2020
December
Rappahannock County Broadband Authority is Formed

The Rappahannock County Broadband Authority consists of five members.  It was created to have a legal entity capable of entering into contracts and agreements on behalf of Rappahannock County.  The RCBA carries forward the work that was previously done by the Rappahannock County Broadband Committee.

2021
June
Seven Counties Enter into MOU with All Points Broadband

In August, Fauquier County joined the now eight-county project.

September
REGIONAL VATI GRANT APPLICATION SUBMITTED

Eight localities joined together with the Northern Shenandoah Valley Regional Commission and All Points Broadband to submit a VATI grant application on September 14, 2021.  The localites are Augusta, Rockingham, Page, Warren, Rappahannock, Fauquier, Clark, and Frederick Counties.

October
Challenge / Rebuttal Period Begins

Applications for the grant will contain service areas where households are underserved for broadband access.  Local incumbent providers are given a chance to challenge certain areas in an application if they provide service in these areas.

Applicants will then be given a chance for rebuttal over the challenges.  A final determination will then be made for funding eligibility in the disputed locations.

November
Challenge / Rebuttal Period Ends

November 18, 2021 is the deadline for rebuttal submissions.

December
Challenge Determination Made

All parties will be notified of the challenge determinations in December, 2021.

December
Funding Awards Announcement

On December 13, 2021 Governor Northam announced an award of $95.3 million to the NSVRC, which award includes funding for the Rappahannock County portion of the regional project.

View the Governor’s release: https://www.governor.virginia.gov/newsroom/all-releases/2021/december/headline-916304-en.html

2022
April
Shentel Challenge Resolved

In early April 2022 the four counties within which Shentel issued a challenge (Fauquier, Frederick, Rappahannock, and Rockingham) jointly signed a declaration of support for Shentel’s petition of waiver regarding their RDOF obligations. In exchange for this support, the Virginia DHCD agreed to increase VATI funding to cover the “RDOF areas” as part of the VATI grant project.

July
Final Agreements Executed for the Regional Project

On July 22, 2022 the agreement between the Virginia DHCD and NSVRC was executed starting the three-year project period. This follows the execution of an agreement between NSVRC and APB as well as the Fiscal Agent Agreement between NSVRC and the eight counties.

November
Low Level Design and Utility “Make Ready” Work

The first phase of the project will be focused on Low Level Design and the pole attachment make-ready process. Several months’ worth of designed and permitted fiber miles will need to be released from Low Level Design prior to fiber construction commencing.

View a summary map of the Low Level Design.

2024
June
Construction Planning

Construction was originally scheduled to begin in Q2 2023 starting with utility pole make-ready work and continue until the end of July, 2025.  However, currently (June 2024), due to delays with initial construction, the schedule is being revised with an updated schedule anticipated in Q4 2024.

Rappahannock County will be divided into three different fiber service areas and they will each be constructed in their own phases. The fiber service areas and order of construction will be developed in a way that optimizes resources and efficiency of rollout. Final connections to homes will occur on a rolling basis as fiber installation progresses throughout the county, and residents will be informed approximately 90 days before service is active in their area.

November
Risk Mitigation Plan Approved

DHCD has approved APB’s BEAD / risk mitigation plan and timeline extension to June 2026

December
APB Conducts Tour of Installation Areas

On December 9, 2024, APB CEO Jimmy Carr conducted a tour of installation areas in Augusta County where the first homes in that county will have fiber broadband service activated. A report of that tour can be found here.

2025
August
Last-mile Construction Process Begins

APB scheduled to begin process for installation of facilities and fiber lines in Rappahannock County.

September
Construction Permits Issued

APB applied for and received permits from VDOT and Rappahannock County to begin construction.

October
Ground Construction Begins

APB starts physical installations of fiber cabinets, supporting infrastructure, and feeder lines along VDOT-approved construction areas.

2026
June
Agreement Period Ends

The updated agreement that has been approved by DCHD extends the project funding deadline to June 2026.

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