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Bringing Broadband to Citizens

 Do you need or want broadband (high-speed Internet) service and can't get it today?   Have you called the County's wireless Internet service provider partner (B2X 866-800-8886) to see if they can serve you?  Be sure to check often as we continue to work to expand their service area in the county.    If you still cannot get high-speed, please click HERE to enter your address    (NOTE:  This link is to a national mapping of broadband demand not affiliated with Franklin County but certainly a way to capture your need).

 

 Please assist us by mapping your service speed!!   Please log your current Internet speed -- even if you only have dial-up service -- on Virginia Tech's e-Corridors broadband map (here).  

Broadband Deployment in Franklin County, Virginia - Sandie Terry, IT Director, discusses the innovative broadband deployment strategy undertaken in Franklin County, VA. 

Franklin County has worked hard since 2004 to bring broadband to the citizens.   We formed a partnership with B2X Online of Salem, VA. in late 2005.   That partnership allowed B2X to establish equipment on all County owned infrastructure such as towers and water tanks. Through this partnership, B2X has built a solid, redundant wireless network throughout Franklin County. This partnership is also one of the models included in the Governor’s Broadband Toolkit – delivered by the Governor’s Broadband Roundtable, which the County played a significant role as well.

 
If you are still having difficulty getting service, please look to your neighbors to see if anyone has “line of sight” to one of our existing towers (refer to the page 5 of the WISP Partnership document for a view of existing towers).   If a neighbor has line-of-sight, maybe you can negotiate with them to have B2X shoot from their house to yours.   If no one has line-of-sight, then check for someone that has a hill they would be willing to erect a pole/tower that would provide line-of-sight. Often B2X will provide that land owner with free service in exchange for mounting equipment and serving others in that immediate community.
Citizens working together can really assist us in continuing this partnership, building the network and expanding the broadband services.  If you have interest in erecting a pole or small tower, please reference our tower ordinance first.
Please contact B2X Online at 540-389-7924 to see if they can provide you service or work with your neighbors to bring service to your area.

Click here to read a case study document covering Franklin County's public-private partnership to create a redundant wireless broadband network serving local government and the citizens. 
Contact Information

Information Technology
40 East Court Street
Rocky Mount, VA  24151
(540) 483-3037
e-mail: I/T Department