ZiTEL Steps In to Complete Long-Delayed Bedford County Broadband Project
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
For Bedford County residents who have been waiting years for reliable broadband service, there is finally a clear path forward.
On August 11, 2026, the Bedford County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously, 7-0, to award ZiTEL the New London 2026 Broadband Project. The decision puts ZiTEL in charge of completing the remaining fiber construction left unfinished by the previous provider and brings renewed momentum to a project that began in 2022.
For the families, farms and businesses still waiting to be connected, the vote represents more than a change in providers. It represents progress.
“This vote represents an important turning point for hundreds of Bedford County families who have waited far too long for reliable high-speed internet,” said John Putney, Bedford County Government Relations Manager. “By selecting ZiTEL, the County is moving this project forward with an experienced, locally based partner that has already demonstrated its ability to deliver successful broadband projects in Bedford County. Residents in Huddleston, Lynch Station, Falling Creek Road, Blackwater Road and surrounding areas can now look forward with renewed confidence to receiving the service they were promised.”
Finishing the Job
The New London broadband project was designed to reach approximately 3,200 addresses across Bedford County. To date, about 2,150 addresses can receive service, and approximately 180 of the planned 265 miles of fiber have been completed.
That means important work remains — and ZiTEL is ready to get moving.
ZiTEL will provide a 50% project cost match and work toward completing the remaining construction within 10 months, with no additional cost to Bedford County beyond funds already committed.
For residents who have watched other areas receive broadband service while their homes and communities remained unconnected, completing those final miles matters.
Local Experience That Matters
ZiTEL isn't coming into Bedford County as a stranger.
Based in the Moneta community, ZiTEL already knows the county, its terrain and many of the challenges involved in building fiber infrastructure throughout rural areas.
The company has established relationships with local permitting agencies, utility partners and community leaders and brings experience in rural fiber engineering, pole attachments and construction. That local knowledge will help ZiTEL mobilize efficiently and begin making meaningful progress on the remaining work.
“This is about more than taking over unfinished construction,” said Rodney Gray, COO of ZiTEL. “It is about restoring confidence, keeping our commitments and bringing dependable fiber internet to families, farms and businesses that have waited far too long. ZiTEL is on the job, and we are ready to get this done.”
Building a More Connected Bedford County
Completing the New London project is part of a much larger effort to expand reliable fiber internet throughout Bedford County and other underserved communities across Virginia.
Approximately 1,600 additional unserved Bedford County locations have been recommended for ZiTEL through Virginia's Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program.
ZiTEL has also been approved to take over an unfinished broadband deployment serving approximately 14,547 potential customer locations across Franklin, Henry and Patrick counties.
Together, these projects represent thousands of Virginia households and businesses that could gain access to the reliable broadband infrastructure increasingly essential for work, education, healthcare, agriculture, business and everyday life.
For ZiTEL, however, the focus in Bedford County is simple: finish what was started and connect the residents who are still waiting.
The people in Huddleston, Lynch Station, Falling Creek Road, Blackwater Road and surrounding communities have waited long enough.
ZiTEL is on the job. It's time to get it done.
About ZiTEL
ZiTEL is a Virginia-based fiber internet provider committed to connecting rural and underserved communities with fast, dependable broadband service. Through local investment, experienced fiber construction and a commitment to the communities it serves, ZiTEL is helping build a more connected Virginia.
PRESS RELEASE HERE:
