Broadband Availability Study Title Banner

Overview

The Broadband Availability Study is the next step to Improving Communication and Data Technology in Both the Business Sector and in Residential Settings, the first goal of Connecting Roanoke County to the World Strategic Initiative presented in the County’s 2016 Community Strategic Plan.

The goal of the Broadband Availability study is to identify areas of Roanoke County that are currently served, under-served, or not served by high-speed Internet as defined by the minimum standards published by the Federal Communications Commission (2015) of 25Mbps download and 3Mbps upload (25/3). For general information about Internet speed and how it relates to typical usage, please visit the FCC Broadband Speed Guide.

Identifying areas that express a need or unmet demand for high-speed Internet will enable Roanoke County to explore strategies to expand access to high-speed Internet services across our community. Strategies may include state or federal grant opportunities, public-private partnerships, or other as yet unidentified means to expand the availability of high-speed Internet services to unserved or under-served parts of Roanoke County.

Data Compilation

Communications and Information Technology staff will compile data about existing high-speed Internet availability through cable, fiber, wireless, satellite, or fixed point providers and validate this data set through citizen surveys. Survey data will be collected online, through hard copy printed surveys distributed through Roanoke County Public Schools and Roanoke County Public Libraries, and also through targeted mailings to outlying geographic areas of the County as identified by the County’s GIS and Communications and Information Technology staff.

Survey Promotion & Deadlines

The survey will be promoted through the County’s website, Roanoke Valley Television, and various social media outlets. Due to the nature of the survey and the potential study results, it is expected that the survey will also be covered by local media. The initial survey phase begins in December 2019 with the opening of the online survey, followed by mailings and school distribution in January 2020. Survey results will be collected through February 28, 2020.

Additional Viewing

Watch the video below for an overview of the Broadband Availability Study and our High-Speed Internet Survey

More Information

For more information about Roanoke County’s High-Speed Internet Study, please contact:

Bill Hunter
Director, Communications and Information Technology
(540) 777-8552

High-Speed Internet Survey Results

PDF 75px >> Download the High-Speed Internet Survey Results (PDF)

Analysis and Opportunities

The study data will be analyzed to evaluate the next steps in improving high-speed Internet access across Roanoke County. It is expected to identify current infrastructure, partners, partnership agreements, grant opportunities, unmet demand, and prevalent residential internet speeds in the community, along with gaps in each of these areas that may be closed through future action.

More Information & Additional Resources

Roanoke County High-Speed Internet Survey Map

The County’s Communication and Information Technology staff use the survey data to plot maps of several significant areas without access to high-speed Internet, including, Catawba Valley, Merriman Road / Starlight Road south of Buck Mountain Road to Boones Mill; Cove Hollow Road and areas west of Spring Hollow Reservoir; Rutrough Road area including Mary’s Way Lane and Ivyland Road; Timberview Road; and Bradshaw Road starting at the 6000 block and above.