Rural Internet Expansion at Shentel
Good news! Reliable, high-speed Internet options from top-rated internet providers are coming to more rural areas!
As phone, tv and internet providers in rural areas of Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky and Pennsylvania, Shentel’s services will soon be expanding its network to provide better connectivity to local neighborhoods that have had limited broadband access in the past. This is made possible in part due to subsidy grants from multiple government agencies.
Check your address for availability today.
We have received government grants in the following rural areas in Virginia and West Virginia:
Shentel is expanding reliable Fiber Internet, Home Phone and Digital TV services in the new rural build areas. To see more details on approximate build areas and estimated construction schedules, select one of the planned areas shown here.
Please note that due to the remote nature of these rural expansion zones, installation scheduling may take up to 30 days.
The reviews are in and our customers are beaming.
Broadband Internet, Phone and TV Services we plan to offer:
High-Speed Internet
- Internet speeds up to 2 Gbps
- Plans starting at $70
- Bundle discounts available
- All speeds not available in all areas
Home Phone
- Unlimited Calling
- Local and Long Distance Plans
- Rates starting at $24.95/mo for Unlimited Local Calling
TV
- Tons of HD channels and Premium channel options
- Your favorite local channels
- Rates starting at $33/mo
- Not available in all areas
Please note that we are using different technologies depending on what will best serve the planned areas. As a result, internet speeds and products may vary by location.
What to expect during Subsidy Grant Construction for Rural Areas
Watch this video to learn more how broadband expansion projects are funded and constructed in rural areas.
Have additional questions? Click below to view our FAQs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Subsidy grants are typically government-funded programs whereby certain homes are eligible for state/county funding to enable service providers to bring Broadband services to rural areas more quickly—Shentel pays to bring Broadband to an eligible home, and the government agency reimburses Shentel for a portion of its costs. Broadband could be delivered by Shentel either by fiber to the home or by extending our Cable TV plant to eligible homes within the areas defined by the subsidy program.
Grants are funds that generally don’t need to be paid back and are intended for specific purposes. Subsidies, however, are financial aids such as direct payments, tax reductions, or other forms of support that governments offer to businesses to help cover operating expenses over a longer duration.
Shentel pays to bring Broadband to an eligible address within the rural areas defined by the program, and the government agency reimburses Shentel for a portion of the costs.
We are excited to be a part of this program, as our mission has always been to provide rural areas with the same telecommunication services as are available anywhere else. At this time, the following counties in VA have selected Shentel as a partner in the VATI (Virginia Telecommunications Initiative) program: Bedford County, Campbell County, Franklin County, Shenandoah County and Roanoke County. We are also participating in bidding for grants in other state programs including Frederick, MD and Lewis County, WV.
Once serviceable, the homes eligible for the program will subscribe to the same rate plans that Shentel offers in these counties for fiber to the home or cable modem service.
Subsidy funding is not a Shentel product that can be requested specifically. It is a funding program allowing us to bring our fast and reliable services to you and your family.
The subsidy grants are funding that is supporting companies like Shentel to provide fiber or broadband internet to remote areas. This will allow us to bring faster internet to your area more quickly. If you are in a planned build area and construction is about to begin, you will receive multiple communications from us regarding our construction plans, including mailers and door hangers. You will ultimately receive a letter from us once construction is complete, and then you can schedule an installation with Shentel for Broadband services.
Visit our Shentel subsidy grant website at https://www.shentel.com/expansion to learn more about services in your area, see additional FAQs, and pre-register for additional information. The government agencies for your area determine which addresses are subsidy-eligible.
Service eligibility is determined by many different contributing factors. At this time, Shentel is now contractually focused on bringing Broadband to certified subsidy homes. The state or local agencies are responsible for determining which addresses are subsidy-eligible. If your home is not on the subsidy funding list, you may or may not have Broadband available along with your neighbor. Please include your name on the pre-registration wait list and we will let you know when our Broadband internet services become available.
We offer reliable, fast internet service that provides a high-speed Broadband network, so you will get super-fast speeds of up to 1G download. You can also choose to subscribe to our TV and home phone services. Our service is priced to fit your budget and backed by our local customer service team ready and available to answer your questions.
Construction involves installing Broadband cables either underground or attached to utility telephone poles, and installing the necessary equipment. If you are in a planned build area, you will receive multiple communications from us regarding our construction plans, including but not limited to, mailers, door hangers, and other construction notifications.
We do not anticipate a disruption in any of your current services or utilities during construction, but if you do experience a loss of service, let us know and we will restore your services as quickly as possible.
If you are in a planned build area, you will receive multiple communications from us regarding our construction plans, including mailers, door hangers and you will see our road signs.
A drop is a Broadband cable that connects our Shentel network from the street to the NID (network interface device) located on the side of your home. In some cases, this drop may be very long; for example, some homes may be over ½ mile from the street and may take additional construction before installation can begin. In cases where a long drop is required, it may take a little longer to schedule an installation. The good news is that provided your home is a subsidy-eligible home, you will not need to pay aid to construction for your comparably longer drop from the road to the home (provided you schedule your appointment soon after our initial construction).
The majority of our subsidy-funded construction requires attachments to utility power poles. These poles are typically not owned by Shentel and require permissions and permitting from the pole owners. The National Electric Safety Code has strict rules surrounding new attachments on these utility poles. Due to the number of pole applications from Shentel and other internet service providers, the utility power companies are really behind in processing these permit requests. Additionally, many of these poles need to be replaced in order to be safe and reliable, which can be time consuming. This is a state and nationwide issue, and the FCC is engaged in trying to improve the process.
We have a team dedicated to developing an engineering strategy for each service area. We evaluate the terrain and determine the best, most reliable way to deliver Broadband to your area. Attaching to utility power poles is typically the most efficient way to bring Broadband internet to remote areas. At this time, due to the number of pole applications from Shentel and other internet service providers, the utility power companies are behind in processing these pole permit requests.
We have a team dedicated to developing a strategy for each service area that determines the best, most efficient way to deliver Broadband. Sometimes attaching to utility power poles is just not a possibility given cost and time. However, while it is disruptive, there are many upsides to burying Broadband cables—buried Broadband cable is less likely to be damaged by weather conditions, wildlife, and other above-ground elements.
Once construction begins, it can take several months before broadband services can be ordered. We will send out mailers once we are able to begin taking pre-orders.
You will receive multiple communications from us regarding our construction plans, including mailers and door hangers. Once construction begins, it can take several months before Broadband services are available. Visit this page often to learn more about services in your area, or pre-register for additional information.
More questions or concerns? Call 1-800-SHENTEL to speak to a representative.
Rates and services may vary by area. All services and internet speeds not available in all areas. Please check address or call a customer service representative to find out what services are available at your address.