REC has hit a major milestone in bringing high-speed broadband internet to its service area with 10,000 members now online.
In just one year, REC has doubled the number of members benefitting from access to high-speed internet in their homes and businesses. The connections are a testament to the impact of REC’s effort to bring high-speed internet to unserved and underserved communities in its service region.
Bringing high-speed broadband internet to REC communities is part of a strategic partnership with Firefly Fiber BroadbandSM. Firefly is a wholly owned subsidiary of Central Virginia Electric Cooperative.
REC has worked with its contractors to construct 2,650 miles of fiber network – the distance from Fredericksburg to San Diego, California – across five counties. Firefly is leasing the fiber network that delivers reliable high-speed internet to REC members in Albemarle, Louisa, Madison, Greene, and Goochland counties.
Progress continues, with more than 13,500+ REC members signed up for high-speed broadband internet service to date. Construction efforts by contractors are ongoing.
REC Director of Broadband and Fiber Services Mark Ponton said the joint effort brings broadband internet services to areas that otherwise would not have access to high-speed internet.
“Our members have asked for some time how REC can help bring these services to them and by partnering with Firefly we are fulfilling our members’ needs,” he said.
Many other internet service providers use REC poles to bring internet services to other areas of the REC system, Ponton said.
REC has been working on the project over the past four years. REC owns the fiber network and is providing use of its poles and other infrastructure to bring the high-speed broadband internet to its members.
REC members interested in connecting to Firefly for broadband service should register at https://www.fireflyva.com/. Once registered, you’ll get a notification of when service is available in your area.
Serving over 182,000 connections across 22 Virginia counties, REC is a pillar in its communities, with over 18,000 miles of power lines extending from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Chesapeake Bay. For more information on REC’s initiatives, visit www.myrec.coop and follow REC on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
