Loudoun County Communications Commission Meeting - July 23, 2024

Note: The agenda and transcript indicate the meeting was held on Monday, July 22, 2024, but the user instruction states the meeting took place on July 23, 2024. This discrepancy is noted.

The Loudoun County Communications Commission met to receive updates on the VATI broadband project, franchisee activities, and preparations for the annual Board of Supervisors status report. The meeting included detailed presentations from All Points Broadband and Dominion Energy on the Baiti fiber-to-the-home project, covering construction milestones, pole make-ready progress, and customer outreach. Franchisees Comcast and Verizon provided updates on HD upgrades and network expansion. The commission also reviewed open LEx tickets and discussed incorporating wireless coverage analysis into the upcoming BoS report.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Agenda: Approved unanimously.
• Approval of June 24, 2024 Minutes: Approved with one abstention (Commissioner absent at previous meeting).

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made.

Discussion Items

VATI Update (Baiti Fiber-to-the-Home Project)

• Tom Innes, All Points Broadband presented a comprehensive update. Key points:
  • Project will bring fiber to ~8,600 locations via ~600 miles of new fiber, funded by a $17.75 million DHCD grant, ~$12.5 million county ARPA match, $21 million All Points investment, and ~$10 million in Dominion middle-mile fiber.
  • Pole make-ready process is the primary focus: ~13,000 poles involved. Since the last update, approvals increased by 85%. A significant portion of tickets are awaiting All Points' decisions.
  • Dominion has released 50% of its middle-mile fiber for construction and completed 27% (31% of total 171.5 miles, per Bryson's later slide).
  • First customer activation expected in late December 2024, prioritizing fiber service areas 2 and 4. Contiguous miles needed for construction release; expected in October.
  • Pre-registrations: ~4,000 unique addresses. Historical take rate: 20% sign up immediately, ramping to 35% over 150 days.
  • Future BEAD program funding (federal) expected to roll out later in 2024; additional unserved locations may be eligible due to updated broadband definitions and FCC mapping changes.
• Commissioner Questions:
  • Commissioner Craig Stone asked about underground fiber and liability for damage to private utilities (sprinklers, dog fences). Tom Innes stated crews ask homeowners to mark private lines; if broken, All Points would likely remediate but will confirm policy.
  • Commissioners expressed confusion over project maps showing colored service areas vs. hatched project area. Tom acknowledged and will adjust map clarity for public documents.
  • Commissioner asked why six towns (Middleburg, etc.) were not included. Tom explained that broadband definitions have changed since the grant application; some towns may now qualify for future funding.
  • A request was made for future briefings to include a schedule with milestone dates and explanations for any delays. Tom and Bryson agreed.
• Bryson Emily Norris, Dominion Energy provided the middle-mile update:
  • Total middle-mile miles: 171.5. Design complete: 19 miles; work in progress: 91.5 miles; construction complete: 53.17 miles (31%). All work available to Dominion will be completed by end of 2024.
  • Pole make-ready: 4,656 out of 9,369 polls completed (50%).
• The commission requested another update in three months, with a possible touchpoint before the BoS status report in September.

Franchisee Updates

• Comcast (Christopher Mulhall): PEG upgrade to HD for county and schools delayed from July to August due to scheduling conflicts. LEx tickets are being actively worked.
• Verizon (Louise Anderson): Large expansion project in and around Purcellville. Permitting issues with the town of Purcellville have been resolved. Verizon will provide specific expansion area details to the county in the near future.

Preparation for 2024 Board of Supervisors Commission Status Report

• The commission reviewed draft materials including spatial analysis maps created by a commissioner. Maps illustrate broadband coverage but lack cellular tower data, which is a significant gap for wireless coverage. The commission plans to incorporate wireless infrastructure analysis and discuss offline. The presentation to the BoS is expected to be under 30 minutes, with time for questions.

Staff Report

• Staff Liaison Dave reported 7 open LEx tickets, all with Comcast, mostly in Sterling. The oldest ticket is about 70 days. Comcast has been responsive, and no escalation is needed.

Review of Outstanding Action Items

• Aaron Smith noted the VATI update is scheduled for three months. Verizon expansion update is pending (action item to provide specifics).

Key Outcomes

• The agenda and June 24 minutes were approved (minutes with one abstention).
• The VATI update was received; a follow-up presentation is scheduled in approximately three months.
• Comcast and Verizon updates were noted; Verizon will share expansion details.
• The commission will work offline to finalize the BoS status report, incorporating wireless coverage analysis.
• No new business was introduced. The next regular meeting is scheduled for September 23, 2024.
• The meeting adjourned informally after loss of quorum (no formal vote).