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1. Why is Pittsylvania County partnering with RiverStreet Networks instead of another company?

To expand access to reliable internet across our community, Pittsylvania County has partnered with RiverStreet Networks. Pittsylvania County has chosen to partner with RiverStreet Networks in such a substantial way for a few reasons:

Goal of Reaching Unserved

As a company, RiverStreet Networks is focused on delivering the latest and best technology to unserved and underserved rural areas. With a growing network that expands many rural areas in North Carolina and Virginia, RiverStreet's mission of reaching the unserved is perfect for a rural locality like Pittsylvania County. 

Existing Footprint

RiverStreet Networks already has a strong footprint in Pittsylvania County and the surrounding area. After acquiring SCS Broadband, Peoples' Mutual Telephone Company, and Gamewood Technology Group, RiverStreet already provides internet service to a significant portion of Pittsylvania County. 

Commitment to Leveraging Funding

Most importantly, RiverStreet Networks is committed, in conjunction with Pittsylvania County and Pittsylvania County Schools, to leveraging our own investments into additional state and federal dollars. This commitment to obtaining as much outside funding as possible is important when expanding into a rural area like Pittsylvania County. 

2. Where is the money for this partnership coming from?

More than half of the funding for RiverStreet Networks' $75 million fiber-to-the-home network is coming from a $39.5 million Virginia Telecommunication Initiative Grant, which was awarded in mid-December, 2021. Pittsylvania County and Pittsylvania County Schools are both contributing a significant portion of the funds received from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to this project. Pittsylvania County Schools are contributing $5.5 million and Pittsylvania County is contributing an additional $6.5 million. For the remaining $4.5 million, Pittsylvania County is taking out a revenue bond, the payments for which will be covered by the revenue generated through Pittsylvania County’s revenue sharing with RiverStreet Networks.

Pittsylvania County and RiverStreet Networks are committed to pursuing additional funding and grant opportunities that become available. 

3. What is the timeline for this project?

Within approximately three years of the VATI grant award (which happened in mid-December 2021), RiverStreet Networks is planning to pass 11,985 unserved places, as defined by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), with this fiber network. Additional funding opportunities are being sought to expand the number of unserved homes that can be passed with this fiber network.  

4. What is the definition of broadband?

As defined by the FCC, broadband access means download speeds of at least 25 megabits per second and upload speeds of 3 megabits per second. This is often referred to as speeds of 25/3. While this is the bare minimum speed for broadband, the majority of customers on RiverStreet’s network are expected to have speeds that significantly exceed the broadband threshold, with many of them even having even having speeds of 100/100.

5. What does unserved mean?

As defined by the FCC, a location that is unserved does not have access to internet speeds of at least 25 megabits per second and upload speeds of 3 megabits per second. This is often referred to as 25/3. The current project with RiverStreet is expected to pass more than 11,985 unserved locations. 

6. What speed of service can I expect at my home?

As defined by the FCC, broadband access means download speeds of at least 25 megabits per second and upload speeds of 3 megabits per second. This is often referred to as speeds of 25/3. While this is the bare minimum speed for broadband, the majority of customers on RiverStreet’s network are expected to have speeds that significantly exceed the broadband threshold, with many of them even having even having speeds of 100/100.

7. What’s the difference between fiber and fixed wireless or other internet options?

From cable to DSL to satellite to fixed wireless, there are many ways to provide some level of internet service. Of all the ways to provide internet, fiber-optic cables to the home is both the most reliable and typically provides the fastest upload and download speeds. Pittsylvania County and RiverStreet had previously announced a push to expand fixed wireless – which is the use of service, but that was always seen as a more inexpensive stopgap to help provide some service before funds could be obtained to expand fiber.