Eastern Shore of Virginia Broadband Authority Price Reduction

The Eastern Shore of Virginia Broadband Authority (ESVBA) recently reduced its rates as much as 44% on circuits below 200 meg/sec. Initial construction of the ESVBA was funded with federal & state grants, and federal appropriations administered by NASA. Since these grant funds have been expended, the ESVBA operates solely on revenues that it receives from broadband services provided to its customers.

Mr. Nicholas Pascaretti, Executive Director of the ESVBA, stated: “The ESVBA is always seeking ways to keeps its rates affordable and competitive while maintaining funds for network expansion, upgrades, and maintenance. Network reliability and resilience are critical to ESVBA’s customers. ESVBA recognized a need to lower our rates for smaller customers. By keeping operating costs low, we were able to achieve this goal and maintain the level of service which our customers expect and deserve”.

Started in 2009, the ESVBA has constructed a fiber optic network from Virginia Beach to Chincoteague. Additionally, the ESVBA has installed broadband capabilities in several communities on the Shore. They include Accomac, Cape Charles, Eastville, Nassawadox, Exmore, Willis Wharf, Belle Haven, Onancock, Parksley, and Chincoteague.

Mr. Pascaretti further said: “The ESVBA will continue to seek ways to extend the fiber network and to assist independant service providers on the network to affordably reach more and more customers.”