By Heather Michon
Correspondent
Lake Monticello residents will soon have a new option when it comes to hopping online: Firefly Fiber Broadband.
LMOA News made the official announcement on Friday (Oct 1), saying the company promises to “deliver high-speed internet to Lake Monticello residents, so you can work and live with full access to modern technology, ensuring a better quality of life.”
Firefly is a subsidiary of Central Virginia Electric Cooperative (CVEC). First announced in 2018, the company’s goal is to bring modern broadband to rural customers who are often no able to access reliable, affordable internet services.
Unlike other parts of Fluvanna County, internet access has not generally been a problem for Lake residents. However, the Lake has always been part of Firefly’s planned service area.
Negotiations between the Lake Monticello Owners Association and Firefly began over the summer. Some issues under discussion included access to Lake property and the annual franchise fees Firefly will pay to the LMOA for this access.
At a Board of Directors meeting in late July, CVEC President and CEO Gary Wood said they hoped to get underway in late September or early October and complete the installation of the main lines throughout the Lake in 4-6 months.
S&N Communications will lay the fiber cables using a process called “micro-trenching.” While less disruptive than traditional trenching, Wood told the directors that there would be intermittent road disruptions as lines were placed under roads.
A field survey of the Lake was conducted by Firefly in late August.
Once up and running, customers can choose between tiers of service: Firefly Light and Firefly Flash. At $49.99 per month, Light will give customers unlimited data at 100 Mbps. Flash offers up to 1 Gbps for $79.99.
Additionally, Firefly Voice will offer internet-based landline phone service at $29.99 a month.
Although Firefly is owned by CVEC, the LMOA has said the service will be open to all Lake residents, even if they receive their power through Dominion.
For more information or to pre-register for installation, visit www.fireflyva.com.
