James City County’s Board of Supervisors has backed a franchise agreement with a second broadband provider after considering Shenandoah Cable Television’s plans to build a $10 million fiber-optic network in the county.
Many county residents currently use Cox Communications services but have expressed frustration for years at the lack of competition.
The board voted unanimously to enter a contract with Shenandoah Cable Television, LLC (“Shentel”) on Tuesday, shortly after the company entered an agreement with the city of Williamsburg.
“This is something that the board has long requested, cable competition in James City County, and it’s now here,” said County Attorney Adam Kinsman.
He said the 10-year franchise agreement with Shentel mirrors the Cox franchise that the county entered in June.
Stuart French of Shentel told the board that the company is a 119-year-old enterprise focused on delivering broadband, CATV, phone and wireless services to rural markets. It has 860 employees based in the Shenandoah Valley in western Virginia and makes more than $240 million a year in revenues and profits.
“We truly are focused on customer service, first and foremost,” said French.
He said the company has laid over 7,000 miles of fiber on the ground and in the air.
“This is not a fly-by-night operation,” he said.
French said Shentel is turning its attention to eastern Virginia.
“We are expanding in your direction. We already just got a similar franchise approved with the City of Williamsburg and are moving through you all as well as having similar discussions with York County,” he said.
French promised an investment of more than $10 million in the new broadband network and said it would bring new economic benefits to the area.
“You are able to better recruit new businesses as well as expand existing businesses here,” he said.
French spoke of the benefits of a better network connection in the era of COVID when more people are teleworking.
Shentel is to prioritize the Windsor Forest and Kingswood subdivisions for the fiber-optic network. He said the network is likely to be built out within two-and-a-half years.
Michael Hipple, chairman of the Board of Supervisors, welcomed the new franchise agreement for bringing more competition to James City County.
“Ever since I have been on the board, the citizens have always asked why can’t we get someone else in here … we have been trying for a long time. It’s going to be great for the citizens. Give them another option,” Hipple said.
The board renewed the county’s Cox Communications franchise for cable television in June. A report to the board noted ongoing concerns about the lack of broadband competition.
“Staff continues to receive complaints regarding the lack of broadband competition in the county, the cost of Cox’s service, cost of service extensions, and broadband reliability. While these issues may be valid, the county has no legal authority to address them in a cable television franchise ordinance,” the memorandum for the agreement stated.
A representative from Cox Communications said that residents having issues with cable service, internet, and other services should file a complaint with Cox’s customer service department. Filing a complaint with their customer service starts a file and allows them to track the progress of the complaint.
David Macaulay, davidmacaulayva@gmail.com
