New Service Areas
New service areas, also referred to as Connectivity Opportunity Areas (COAs), are identified as unserved with poor mobile or fixed broadband speeds.
These locations will be prioritized for access to new services.
Early Action Projects
Early Action
Projects
Based on data from fieldwork and surveys, four Early Action projects were identified in Derry, Fairfield, and Ligonier Townships. For details on the criteria used to determine the Early Action projects, please view the Final Report pdf. To see if your location falls within one of the Early Action areas, go to the “Map of Unserved Areas” section below and use the “Find address or place” search box on the map to input your information.
After a competitive Request for Proposals process to identify local and national Internet Service Providers (ISPs), Verizon was selected by Westmoreland County Commissioners and the Department of Planning & Development to bring Internet service to over 400 locations within the Early Action areas. Verizon will be providing unserved residents and businesses with the infrastructure to connect to high-speed fiber–optic broadband.
It will take Verizon approximately 12 months to build the new fiber–optic infrastructure. During that time, Verizon construction crews will be in Derry, Fairfield, and Ligonier Townships installing the necessary build–out to bring faster and more reliable Internet access to residents and businesses. Approximately 30 miles of fiber will be deployed throughout the Early Action areas.
The County Commissioners have dedicated American Rescue Plan Act funds for broadband expansion. The County will split the Early Action project costs with Verizon and invest approximately $1.7 million in the over $3.5 million project to install fiber-optic Internet to the Early Action areas. No out-of-pocket expenses will be incurred by residents or businesses to have the Verizon high-speed Internet access infrastructure installed.
Once complete, residents within the Early Action areas will have the necessary infrastructure to subscribe to Verizon broadband services. There is no obligation to sign up for Verizon high-speed Internet. Information about plans offered and how to sign up or change plans will be provided by Verizon in the coming months.
Early Action
Projects
Who to Contact
Questions regarding the fiber-optic Internet installation or service taking place in your area can be addressed by contacting us at [email protected].
Map of Unserved Areas
Map of
Unserved Areas
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and PA Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) define unserved areas as follows:
Unserved: Does not have access to Internet service with at least 25 megabits per second (Mbps) download or 3 Mbps upload speed
Areas that are identified as unserved with poor mobile or fixed broadband speeds are labeled Connectivity Opportunity Areas (COAs) or new service areas. These locations will be prioritized for access to new services.
Do you want to know if your address is part of a New Service Area?
Click the map and enter your address to see if the information is accurate for your location. If there is a discrepancy, please use the comment box below to let us know.
Broadband Program Timeline
A lot has been happening with the Westmoreland Broadband Program in a short amount of time. Below is a timeline highlighting milestones and the next steps.
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March 2024
Verizon begins infrastructure construction for Early Action areas
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July 2023
Verizon selected to service Early Action areas
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January 19, 2023
Final Report findings released to the public
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January 13, 2023
FCC broadband map challenges submitted
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December 9, 2022
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) releases the broadband access map that shows all broadband serviceable locations across the United States
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November 10, 2022
The survey results are made public
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October 27, 2022
Education and Business & Industry focus group workshop
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October 12, 2022
Municipal leaders workshop
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September 28, 2022
Taskforce meeting
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August 18, 2022
Public Safety focus group workshop
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July 18, 2022
Website launch, Internet Survey and Speed Test opens, and fieldwork begins
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July 13, 2022
First Taskforce meeting