Prince William County Completes Broadband Expansion Initiative Ahead of Schedule

Prince William County has completed a major broadband expansion project, delivering high-speed fiber-optic internet to 474 previously unserved or underserved areas across the county. Completed five months ahead of schedule and under budget by several hundred thousand dollars, the project marks a significant step forward in closing the digital divide for residents and businesses.

The project, awarded to Verizon through a competitive procurement process, was funded in part by $1.35 million from the county’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocation. As a result of the expansion, fewer than 1.5 percent of county residents remain without access to high-speed internet.

"Because high-speed internet is so vital in today's world, Prince William County is committed to ensuring that every resident has access," said Board of County Supervisors Chair At-Large Deshundra Jefferson. "Thanks in part to federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and Verizon, we are closer than ever to being among the first jurisdictions in Virginia to achieve universal coverage.”

County Executive Christopher Shorter added, “Expanding broadband access is foundational to a thriving and equitable community. This achievement reflects our commitment to modern infrastructure, innovation and ensuring all residents have access to the digital tools they need to succeed in today’s economy.”

In 2020, the county’s Department of Information Technology (DoIT) identified the lack of access to high-speed internet as a critical barrier to quality of life and economic opportunity for residents and local businesses. Some residents also identified the need for help to afford internet service and internet-enabled devices, as well as the need for knowledge of how to use them. The Board of County Supervisors responded by issuing a directive to have staff address these issues; and DoIT launched Digital Prince William, a countywide initiative aimed at addressing infrastructure gaps, affordability and digital literacy.

As part of the initiative, DoIT identified locations in the county that lack or have insufficient internet access and developed a plan to eliminate those gaps. In addition to expanding infrastructure, the initiative has connected more than 11,000 residents with free broadband hotspots through partnerships with Prince William Public Libraries and Public Schools.

To support digital literacy and access to technology, the county has also sponsored more than 500 free, beginner-level technology classes for county residents at Prince William Public Libraries, Community Services and the Area Agency on Aging, as well as regionally through the Virtual Center for Active Adults – a partnership with Fairfax County, Arlington County and ServiceSource. County residents can access free, beginner-level training in English and Spanish from home, at a library or any location where public Wi-Fi is available through an online platform.

To learn more about the locations covered by this project, view the broadband expansion status map. To learn more about free technology classes, review the class schedule.