Currently, in Fauquier County, Virginia, there is a great dichotomy of who has access to internet services and who does not. During the COVID-19 pandemic and required responses from such organizations as Fauquier County Public Schools, the differences between these 'haves' and 'have-nots' have only become more pronounced. This is partly because in the State of Virginia, and as such in Fauquier County, access to internet services is considered a luxury rather than a utility. We urge the Fauquier County Board of Supervisors and Fauquier County Broadband Authority to reclassify local internet services as a utility rather than a luxury, if legally possible. Once reclassified, we request that internet access be expanded to more Fauquier County residents.

The Fauquier County Broadband Authority was established to comply with the Virginia Wireless Services Authorities Act; of which, §15.2-5431.4 states that the created Broadband Authorities "shall... provide qualifying communication services as provided by Article 5.1 (§56-484.7:1 et seq.) of Chapter 15 of Title 56." This includes, according to the said article, high-speed internet services to a geographic area exceeding a population of 30,000.

Currently in Virginia, public utilities include only phone services, heating, cooling, water, lighting, electricity, and sewerage facilities. So why should internet be included? Internet services have become integral to nearly everyone's everyday lives... including but not limited to online schooling, job searches, paying bills, ordering food, getting in touch with family/friends, and buying items. Please sign to help provide internet access to every Fauquier County resident!