Virginia state regulations do not allow electric cooperatives to sell internet service, but they do allow electric cooperatives to own a subsidiary that may engage in any business legal in Virginia. The intent of the rule is to ensure that electric rates do not subsidize other business ventures.
Because of this ruling, CVEC reopened its wholly-owned subsidiary, Central Virginia Services, Inc. which provides telecommunications and internet services to CVEC and the public as Firefly Fiber BroadbandSM.
CVEC also cannot share any joint marketing with Firefly, so we cannot provide pricing or other service information related to Firefly products. Questions about internet services or can be found on Firefly’s website.
CVEC owns all of the fiber that was installed in its territory and leased the fiber to Firefly. CVEC does not own fiber in the territories of other electric providers. Firefly and other internet providers can partner with the other electric service providers to lease their fiber. Firefly also owns some of its own fiber outside of the CVEC footprint. To see if you can get Firefly, visit the Firefly website and click “Check Availability.”
Members who live in areas where fiber has already been installed will have a short wait while Firefly gets a fiber service drop built from the mainline fiber to the member’s home or business. Members should visit Firefly’s website to register.
For members or non-members who are seeking service in areas where fiber has not yet been installed, the fiber construction process is complex and lengthy. Numerous contractors are involved and the entire process can take 6 to 12 months to complete, depending upon the length of the circuit, the terrain and soils, weather, and other external factors. You can find more information about the steps of fiber construction on Firefly’s website.
