Need broadband? Virginia wants to identify spots without it

Virginia residents in need of Internet service are asked to log onto RUOnline.virginia.gov or call (877) 969-6685 and answer a few simple questions regarding where they live and what level of connectivity they have.

Responses will be aggregated, mapped, and shared with policy makers and the public to stimulate broadband policy and funding discussions throughout the remainder of the Terry McAuliffe administration, according to a news release from Virginia Farm Bureau.

A 21st Century economy requires high-quality broadband infrastructure,” Secretary of Commerce and Trade Maurice Jones was quoted as saying, “The initiatives that we are announcing…will help Virginia in its quest to ensure that every region is equipped with the broadband infrastructure necessary for businesses to operate and create jobs.”

RUOnlineVA, will run through early August and will leverage an online demand capture tool created by the Center for Innovative Technology (CIT) and Virginia Tech’s Center for Geospatial Information Technology (CGIT).

Governor Terry McAuliffe has announced a new statewide initiative to better understand where Virginia has the largest gaps in broadband coverage. The Governor announced the initiative at a ceremony to sign House Bill 912, which clarifies and improves the process for installing communications infrastructure, benefiting rural communities.

The new initiative, RUOnlineVA, provides a platform for Virginia residents and businesses to notify the Commonwealth whether or not they have access to broadband Internet connections.

RUOnlineVA is a key component of the Governor’s overall strategy to increase connectivity throughout the Commonwealth.

House Bill 912 makes it easier to put telecommunications infrastructure in the rights-of-way for state-maintained roads.

In addition to these components, the Governor’s budget includes $2.5 million for the Virginia Telecommunications Initiative, which provides funding for infrastructure expansion in unserved areas of the Commonwealth, according to the news release.