Limited-Time Funding Helps Cover Long and Underground Broadband Installations
Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Community Broadband Board (VCBB) is encouraging eligible Vermonters to take advantage of the Affordable Long Drop Program, which helps pay the cost of connecting homes to fiber broadband service. Funding for the program is currently scheduled to end in September, creating a limited-time opportunity for Vermonters that have delayed connecting because of installation costs.
The Affordable Long Drop Program assists eligible providers to cover the cost of long or nonstandard broadband connections, including underground installations. These costs can sometimes reach thousands of dollars and may prevent households from connecting to available fiber broadband service.
A long drop is the connection that runs from broadband infrastructure along the road to a home or business. While providers typically cover the cost of standard installations, customers may be responsible for additional costs when a connection is unusually long or requires specialized construction. The Affordable Long Drop Program helps reduce or eliminate those costs for eligible Vermonters.
"Broadband availability alone is not enough if folks can’t afford to connect," said VCBB Executive Director Christine Hallquist. "The Affordable Long Drop Program helps remove one of the final barriers to universal broadband access by helping Vermonters connect to reliable fiber broadband service. If you've been waiting to connect because of installation costs, now is the time to find out if you qualify."
Fiber networks provide fast upload and download speeds and can support remote work, online learning, telehealth, streaming, small business operations, and having many devices online at the same time. Fiber broadband has the capacity to meet growing internet needs for decades to come as more aspects of life require a connection and AI use continues to increase.
"Fiber broadband is an investment in the future," said VCBB Digital Equity Officer Britaney Watson. "A reliable internet connection can open doors to employment, education, healthcare, and essential services. This program helps ensure that installation costs do not prevent Vermonters from accessing those opportunities."
The program prioritizes support for manufactured home communities, low- and moderate-income households, and customers who have committed to broadband service but face unusually high connection costs.
Funding for the Affordable Long Drop Program is currently scheduled to end in September. Providers offering the Affordable Long Drop Program include WCVT, which operates in parts of Addison, Caledonia, Chittenden, Essex, and Washington Counties; Franklin Telephone Co., Inc., which operates in part of Franklin County; ECFiber, which operates in parts of Addison, Orange, Rutland, and Windsor Counties; DVFiber, which operates in parts of Windham, Bennington, and Windsor Counties; Maple Broadband, which operates in part of Addison County; and NEK Broadband/CVFiber, which together operate in parts of Caledonia, Essex, Lamoille, Orange, Orleans, and Washington Counties. Contact your provider directly to find out if you’re eligible for the program. More information about the Affordable Long Drop Program is available on the VCBB website.
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