Internet provider wants to hear from residents

If residents in Rappahannock County want wireless, broadband Internet service, they need to come forward and say so.

That was the main message Monday from Virginia Broadband representatives, who attended the Rappahannock County Board of Supervisors meeting to explain what would be involved if the county enters into a public-private partnership with the Culpeper-based company.

"We need to hear from the community," said Allen Taliaferro, director of business development at VABB. "We need people to come forward and say, 'Yes, we'll use your service.' "

Company representatives need to know that a customer base for broadband service really does exist in Rappahannock, and they need to know where those potential customers live.

Taliaferro encouraged people to visit www.vabb.com to register.

A credit card number is required to register, and that did not sit well with some audience members at the meeting. But VABB President and CEO Warren Manuel said no one will be charged until they are receiving the service. If a person registers but decides not to buy the service, their credit card will not be charged, Manuel said.

Taliaferro described a system for Rappahannock that would initially include seven facilities that would provide service. He said the company will seek assistance from the county's Broadband Initiative committee to determine the best spots for the facilities, which will consist of a small microwave dish mounted on a wooden pole, silo or similar high location.

A second phase of facilities could be implemented later to fill in any gaps in service.

The Rappahannock News initially reported that VABB service would not be available in Amissville and Chester Gap, where Comcast Digital Wireless service is already available. Taliaferro said that is not correct; VABB service could be available to all areas of the county.

The total cost of developing the system will be $473,091, Taliaferro said. VABB will ask the county to issue a five-year industrial development bond for installing the facilities. The company will pay back the bond at an accelerating rate each year, Taliaferro said.

If the county government and public schools subscribe to VABB service, that revenue would be used to expand service to residents in other parts of the county.

VABB is engaged in similar public-private partnerships with other Virginia counties. County Administrator John McCarthy said his peers in King George County have spoken highly of VABB.

"This is a chance for the county to make economic development without making problems with it," Manuel said.

Walker Rowe stood up during the meeting's public-comment period to speak in support of VABB. Rowe lives on a farm in Scrabble, but also works in production support for computer systems and has co-workers all over the world.

"What makes it possible for me to work from home is the Internet," Rowe told the supervisors. He said he has tried using satellite Internet service, but it does not always work.

The cost to VABB subscribers in Rappahannock would be $299 for installation. Monthly fees would cost $49.95 for 400-kilobyte service, $69.95 for 800-kilobyte service and $89.95 for 1.2-megabyte service.

Taliaferro said VABB is planning to introduce higher speeds at the same prices. He also said that technicians are on staff in Culpeper to help customers with questions about the service.

VABB already has some 2,000 customers in 16 Virginia counties. The company's customer base is growing 5 to 6 percent each month, Taliaferro said.

E-mail the reporter at kallen@timespapers.com.