DV Fiber update, how to volunteer

2023-07-12

Dear friend,

As the July 10th storm recedes, here are a couple of resources for staying connected.

Volunteering:

At the State level, register at Vermont.gov/volunteer and you'll be contacted when the time is right.

Volunteers can also contact a local organization to help out. If you represent an organization of any kind that needs volunteers, please email me and I'll include that information in an upcoming newsletter.

Vermont Alert:

Vermont Alert delivers up-to-the-minute weather and other warnings to your phone or email. Alerts are personalized for your area. Register at no charge www.vtalert.gov.

Halifax residents:

This is a timely reminder to all Halifax residents to please participate in the 2023 Hazard Mitigation Plan Survey. This only takes a few minutes and will help Halifax update our planning for disasters.

DV Fiber broadband Internet:

Internet has become the most common way that Vermonters stay informed and connected during emergencies.

You might be wondering, when can I get affordable Internet from a reliable network that is owned by us?

DVFiber is working to do just that. DV Fiber is a non-profit municipal organization (called a "Communications Union District" under Vermont statute) building hard-wired fiber-optic broadband Internet to 24 communities in southeastern Vermont.

After years of planning, DV Fiber has begun building out its network!

Halifax and Whitingham are in DV Fiber's planned build-out for:

-- 2023 (portions of both towns)

--2024 (more coverage of both towns),

-- and 2025 (service planned to reach all parts of town).

DV Fiber has a quick form on its website to check your availability. Residents are strongly encouraged to sign up on this page to express interest and to be notified when DV Fiber comes to your address: Check DV Fiber availability.

While you're on the DV Fiber website, sign up for their newsletter to receive updates.

I'm often asked when exactly DV Fiber is coming to your address. And in the meantime, should residents sign up for a different service?

After ignoring us for years, for-profit companies are investing in their networks and are competing for the same customers that DV Fiber is working to serve. DV Fiber has the additional pressure of focusing on underserved areas. To deliver a locally owned network with affordable pricing that reaches all addresses, DV Fiber wants to sign up as many households as it can.

To prevent competitors from front-running, DV Fiber is not releasing its build-out schedule far in advance. That's why its delivery dates are so general, and why it's helpful all around to sign up to be notified when it's coming to you.

Can't wait? I advise residents to sign up for the best available Internet service currently available. If possible, avoid agreeing to a long-term contract.

Please contact me with specific questions on these topics, tips you want to share with other residents, or anything else!

P.S. Please take a minute right now and enter your contact information to Check Availability on the DV Fiber website.

Access to affordable broadband is the most common question that residents ask me about. DV Fiber is the place to go to stay informed on this topic over the current build-out period.