Of 25 issues mentioned in the Foothills Forum Survey, the top among Rappahannock respondents was concern about internet coverage.
The numbers speak for themselves. Exactly 1,043 respondents, or 80.7 percent, say internet service in the county is “very important or somewhat important.”
Rappahannock has gaps in coverage; 19 percent don’t have access to internet at home. In response to the open-ended question about which aspect of life people LEAST appreciated, households cited public safety, economic disadvantage and educational obstacles for their children as reasons for concern.
For those seeking a deeper dive into developments and past coverage, we offer the following links:
Schools, library plan major internet upgrade
April 15, 2018
The battle for Internet in rural America
A look at Blacksburg, VA’s digital divide
March 2, 2017
While Rappahannock’s media scene is diametrically opposed to Miami’s diverse and diffused situation, this news report details the many challenges facing communities everywhere in the digital age.
October 4, 2016
AT&T’s First Field Trials of Ultra-Fast Wireless Broadband Over Power Lines
September 20, 2016
Rappahannock’s Digital Dilemma
July 21, 2016
May 9, 2016
Foothills Forum Survey, Part Three: Frozen in time?
April 28, 2016
Foothills Forum Survey, Part Two: A rural life challenged
April 20, 2016
Foothills Forum Survey: Life in the Jewel of Virginia
April 13, 2016
Editorial: The Foothills survey
April 13, 2016
Dittmar’s 2nd visit to the county. Broadband internet pillar of campaign.
April 7, 2016
(link not yet available)
Democrat Dittmar focusing on rural broadband, job training.
February 23, 2016
School Board votes down recording its meetings, 3-2.
February 18, 2016
Congressional Candidate Jane Dittmar, “Rural internet access as important as electricity”.
February 18, 2016
Letter to the Editor: Less “data”, more technology. Response to concerns about broadband.
December 24, 2015
Letter to the Editor: Radiating Rappahannock. Concerns about broadband.
December 17, 2015
AT&T testing new technology in rural broadband internet systems using existing cell towers.
December 10, 2015
Public hearing on comp plan. Commissioners hear broadband concerns.
November 25, 2015
Supervisors unanimously approve resolution for franchise agreement with Comcast.
November 12, 2015
Letter to the editor: Broadband radiation concerns are a “fallacy”.
October, 8 2015
Letter to the editor: Health concerns from broadband radiation.
October 1, 2015
Lesinski and Hitt show support for broadband and cell coverage during candidates forum.
September 24, 2015
Hampton supervisor candidates agree broadband is “high priority”.
September 17, 2015
AT&T conducting tests for high-speed internet from transmission facility on Chester Gap.
September 17, 2015
Hampton candidates, Hitt and Frazer support increasing county’s broadband access.
September 10, 2015
Supervisors discuss next steps in broadband. McCarthy to apply for grant.
July 30, 2015
July 16, 2015
100+ attend County and Realtors Association forum at RCHS to discuss goals for broadband.
July 2, 2015
Locally owned Piedmont Broadband provides internet via broadband radio signal to 200+ customers.
July 24, 2014
Comcast merger with Time-Warner would disincentivize investments in rural broadband.
May 8, 2014
McCarthy presents broadband data and applies for a study with the FCC.
April 3, 2014
County eligible for FCC program to increase broadband in rural areas.
July 5, 2012
Rappahannock County Broadband Initiative Committee Final Report
November 5, 2007
