FiberLync Celebrates 5,000th Subscribed Household, Looks to Expand Connections through VATI Grant
By: Orange County Communications Department
A celebration was in order on Friday, August 2 at FiberLync ’ s office on North Madison Road. Just a few days earlier, they had connected their 5,000th household to the service. The Murphys were very excited to be connected, noting that before FiberLync they were making do with two hotspots to provide internet. While staff members enjoyed pizza and snacks, Mr. James White, the Executive Director for FiberLync and former District Three
FiberLync staff take a moment to enjoy a pizza party in celebration of recent successes!
Supervisor, highlighted exactly how far the broadband provider had come. Recalling the early days of the Orange County Broadband Authority (when more than 40% of Orange County address had no access to high - speed internet) and how efforts to draw potential commercial providers to the area were met with little to no response, Mr. White emphasized how the efforts of so many had met and then substantially exceeded the initial goal of 1,000 subscribers. Indeed, Orange County ’ s efforts to close the digital divide
through the Broadband Authority and FiberLync was recently recognized as one of the primary reasons for the receipt of our third Digital Counties Survey Award. Impressive as it was, this milestone was not the only reason to celebrate at FiberLync. At nearly the same time, they received news that a Virginia Telecommunications Initiative (VATI) grant had been awarded to Orange County! While more than 93% of Orange County will soon have access to high - speed internet thanks to completed and ongoing projects, the $2.1 million from this grant will allow FiberLync to redouble efforts to reach those in the hardest - to - connect locations of Orange County. “ The Orange County Broadband Authority is committed to expanding access to reliable, affordable high - speed internet in Orange County, ” said R. Mark
FiberLync connects its 5,000th household. Pictured L to R: Robert Murphy, Hedi Murphy, Jim White (FiberLync Executive Director), Nick Hamner (FiberLync General Manager), and AJ Amon (FiberLync Installation Technician)
Johnson, Chairman of the OCBA. “ The receipt of this VATI grant will allow us to connect even more addresses to a service that is increasingly important for both business and everyday life, ” he added. Orange County residents interested in receiving FiberLync service should call (540) 360 - 0585 or visit join.fiberlync.net, to check current availability at their address.
Page 9 | August 2024
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