Membership

AboveNet, Inc. provides high bandwidth connectivity solutions for business and carriers. Its private optical network delivers key network and IP services in and among 15 top U.S. metro markets and London. AboveNet's network is widely used in demanding markets such as financial services, media, health care, retail and government.

Allied Fiber was created to address America’s need to eliminate obstacles for broadband access, wireless backhaul and lower latency through new, next generation long-haul dark fiber construction with sound principles and an open-access philosophy.

The Allied Fiber team is a collection of experts in the fields of communications, network construction and finance. They are all dedicated to building and providing access to an abundant supply of dark fiber in areas where it is most needed. The first phase of new duct and fiber construction will be between New York, NY, Ashburn, VA, and Chicago, IL.

Blue Ridge InternetWorks (BRI) offers managed Internet hosting services. They operate their own data center and hosting facility in Charlottesville’s Downtown Business Center. BRI is a Cisco Premier Certified Partner and Microsoft Gold Certified Partner and Authorized Application Service Provider. BRI also operates two specialty service divisions that cater to unique growing network needs: (1) wireless HotSpots as a managed service, offering retailers revenue-sharing opportunities; and (2) wholesale Internet solutions for the multi-tenant unit industry. division.

Blue Ridge Telecom (BRT) is a broadband Internet carrier with a variety of services. Their carrier-class data center networks maintain and protect mission-critical IT systems, networks and applications. BRT operates data centers in Charleston, WV, Knoxville, TN and Lynchburg, VA, providing carrier-class colocation with redundant back-up physical infrastructure, security, and an operating environment designed for computing equipment. Additionally, BRT operates towers for wireless colocation in Alabama, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.

Buggs.net is a division of Buggs Island Telephone Cooperative in Bracey, VA. Buggs.net offers High-speed Wireless and DSL Access, Dial-up access, Web-hosting, Computer Sales and Service. Their employees are dedicated to providing customers with the latest technology with a personal touch. Buggs.net is working to offer high-speed Internet access to all its cooperative members while providing the latest technology and best possible service at a competitive rate.

Cavalier Telephone, headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, is a full-service provider of reliable and efficient telecommunications solutions for business, consumer, and government customers. Using its owned and operated fiber optic network, the company serves hundreds of thousands of customers throughout the eastern United States. From landline voice to managed network services, customers depend on Cavalier for a wide range of communications products that drive their businesses and simplify their lives. We strive to combine technology with customer commitment to deliver the best value available.

Embarq has joined with CenturyTel to create a new communications company called CenturyLink. The merger brings together two companies whose businesses are built on serving local customers and creating a variety of communications products and services to meet their business and residential needs. The new company has operations in 33 states and approximately 7.5 million access lines and more than 2.1 million broadband customers.

Citizens (a.k.a Citizens Telephone Co-operative, Inc.) has been connecting people and communities for more than 90 years with voice, video, and data services. As a technology leader in Southwest Virginia, their commitment to rural America is evident as they weave fiber to connect industrial parks, carrier central office locations, and provide access to hospitals, educational facilities, and other connectivity points across Southern Virginia. Other services include web hosting design and E-commerce.

Martinsville Informational Network provides complete Video, Voice, and Internet solutions. With over 20 miles of optical cable within the Martinsville and Henry County area, MINet provides transport solutions via Optical Point-to-Point , OC12, OC48, and up to 10 GIG Ethernet Transport. With Optical Nodes located in industrial parks and throughout the Martinsville area, accessibility to the MINet network is conveniently achieved.

Comcast Corporation is one of the nation's leading providers of cable, entertainment and communication products and services, with 23.2 million video customers, 16.4 million high-speed Internet customers and 8.1 million Comcast Digital Voice customers. Comcast is principally involved in the development, management and operation of cable networks and in the delivery of programming content. Comcast also provides a wide variety of consumer products and services.

Conterra is a facilities-based, FCC common carrier that provides high quality, high capacity telecommunications transport services for mobile wireless carriers, school districts and select enterprises throughout the country. They primarily utilize licensed microwave radio frequencies to augment and extend seamlessly existing fiber backbones and rings in locations where the economics of deploying fixed-wire media for last-mile broadband connections are unfavorable.

Core180 is a telecom network integrator that provides Network as a Service (NaaS) solutions to government agencies, large enterprises, carriers and systems integrators. The company utilizes its proprietary platform to design networks that are "Purpose Built" for each client’s individual needs. Core180’s NaaS solution enables customers to benefit from increased options that meet their network capacity requirements, and improved network flexibility and visibility with reduced capital expense and operational efforts.

Country Breeze Internet is a Virginia-based wireless Internet service provider (WISP) that brings high speed Internet to homes or businesses in areas typically unreached by broadband Internet providers. Their pricing is competitive, their service is reliable, and their staff is friendly and ready to serve.

In Southern Virginia, Cox offers services in the City of Roanoke, the County of Roanoke and the Town of Vinton. Their service offerings include advanced digital video, high-speed Internet and telephony services through Cox’s residential division. Additionally, Cox Business offers a full-service, facilities-based solution for commercial customers, providing high-speed Internet, voice and long distance services, as well as data and video transport services for small- to large-sized businesses. Cox Roanoke has over 260 miles of fiber deployed throughout the Roanoke Valley, all of which is owned and maintained locally.

Danville is building a communitywide high-speed communications network that will help bring jobs and businesses to Danville. It is the broadband fiber network provided by the City of Danville Utilities Department. Fiber services are available in all business parks in the Danville area.

DataCare was formed in June of 1998. Its mission is to bring the best possible computer, Internet, and Networking related services to Southside Virginia.

DigitalBridge Communications (DBC) provides broadband wireless services, including voice and data, to underserved communities using the new WiMAX technology standard. DBC currently offers service in Virginia, Montana, Idaho, and Indiana and is actively deploying additional networks.

DukeNet was formed in 1994 as the telecommunications arm of Duke Energy, a multinational energy company that has focused on quality, reliability and service for 100 years. Recipient of the highest in-service ratings from telecommunication carriers, DukeNet Communications develops and manages fiber optic communications systems in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. Currently, DukeNet controls more than 4,300 miles of fiber optic network.

EcomNets helps customers to secure processes and applications that can help to reshape organizational methods and positively affect outcomes. These products from EcomNets include tools for new product development, product evolutions strategies and product customization strategies. They also have Green Technology Platforms and Business Management Solutions.

Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, FairPoint Communications, Inc. is a leading provider of communications services to rural communities. They offer a wide array of services to residential and business customers including local voice, long distance and data products. As one of the largest rural telephone providers in the U.S., they operate 32 local exchange companies in 18 states.

FiberLight provides Ethernet, Wavelengths, IP, SONET, and Dark Fiber metro optical transport to telecom carriers, government, large enterprise, content providers and web centric businesses. FiberLight wholly owns a robust fiber network throughout eight primary markets, including Florida, Washington DC, Texas, Virginia and Maryland.

Gamewood provides a wide variety of Internet connections for both home and commercial use including traditional telephony solutions, wireless, and fiber optic. Their technical services include server, workstation and network support with Microsoft and Cisco Certified technicians on staff. Able Telecom, their Telecom and Networking Services Division, is responsible for on-the-spot assistance with voice, telephone, cabling, network engineering, network security and Internet capabilities. Their telecommunications staff is certified for NEC and Mitel phone system sales, installation, support and service.

GCR was founded in 1992 to accommodate the growing technology needs of Southside Virginia. Today, GCR provides a variety of services including Internet access, networking management, and custom PC and server solutions.

Giles-Craig Communications is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pembroke Telephone Cooperative which provides Cable-TV services. Pembroke Telephone Cooperative provides local telephone service, long distance reselling, cellular services, and call waiting/forwarding services in southern Virginia. They also offer cable TV and Internet access.

GTT is a global network integrator, delivering Dedicated Internet Access, WAN Access including Ethernet Transport, colocation, and managed data services to carriers, system integrators, and enterprise customers. GTT partners with major carriers, utilizing excess capacity in their massive networks, to deliver cost competitive solutions to over 80 countries worldwide.

GNS Networks builds and services all types of secure wired and advanced wireless networks. GNS sets up computer networks, in addition to conducting security tests from the outside-in as well as from the inside-out. . GNS also offers secure installation, service, and repair by experienced personnel who are certified in Cisco (CCNP, CCDP), Microsoft (MCSE), and CompTia (Network+, Security+, A+).

The Hibernia Atlantic network provides European and US customers with direct Trans-Atlantic connectivity, at competitive prices, with unparalleled support and service. Hibernia provides a unique network footprint that avoids traditional, congested waterways, like around NYC and London, and instead offers security through diversity.

Host.net, a BroadbandONE company, is a multinational provider of network infrastructure services focusing on colocation, cloud computing and network transport and transit for carrier, education, enterprise, finance, government, healthcare and wholesale clients. The company operates an extensive fiber-optic backbone delivering Internet, MPLS and layer 2 solutions using a wide array of last-mile options, plus multiple data centers encompassing nearly 45,000 square feet of enterprise-class space. Founded in 1996, Host.net is headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida.

KDL is a regional provider of wholesale fiber optic transport services. Their fiber network spans nearly 30,000 miles and reaches into 26 states. They connect populated cities and rural areas alike with both long-haul and metro fiber optic routes.

An Internet Service Provider located in Martinsville, VA., Kimbanet serves Henry, Patrick, Franklin and Pittsylvania Counties, the City of Danville, and the City of Roanoke. They provide Dial-up, DSL and Wireless Broadband Service to all of these areas.

Kinex Telecom, located in the heart of Virginia, offers wireless high-speed Internet for businesses and homes in downtown Farmville, Clover, Halifax, South Boston, Victoria and soon in Charlotte Court House. They also design and maintain business networks and design and deploy "hot spots".

Level 3 Communications, Inc. is a leading international provider of fiber-based communications services. Enterprise, content, wholesale and government customers rely on Level 3 to deliver services with an industry-leading combination of scalability and value over and end-to-end fiber network. Level 3 offers a portfolio of metro and long-haul services, including transport, data, Internet, content delivery and voice.

Clarity Communications is a full service provider of Ethernet, Private Line, and Wavelength connectivity. They provide Enterprise Customers, Carriers, and Internet Service Providers with premise-to-premise network connectivity solutions over fiber optic and traditional copper networks.

The Lower Shore Broadband Cooperative is a public-private partnership created to bring high-speed Internet access to rural areas across the lower Eastern Shore of Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia.

Lynchburg Computer Systems is Lynchburg’s premier computer support center. They offer repairs for all major brands of computers and laptops. They also offer electronic design and testing.

The Maryland Broadband Cooperative (MDBC) is a member-owned and operated universal access, fiber optic network. The network is designed to deliver an advanced, world-class broadband network across the rural communities in Eastern, Southern, and Western Maryland, fostering economic development and supported by its members who provide last mile services.

NationsLine, Inc. is a full-service telecommunications provider with offices located in Roanoke, Virginia. NationsLine provides businesses and residents with local and long-distance voice services, data and Internet services, conferencing services, hosted PBX services, and high-speed DSL Internet services.

RCN Metro is a premier provider of high-capacity transport services for carriers, as well as large and medium-sized businesses. RCN Metro offers a comprehensive suite of services including: Ethernet, SONET, Wavelength, Video Transport, Internet and more. With a network leveraging unique rights-of-way, spanning from Maine to Virginia and out to Chicago, RCN Metro deploys custom solutions to service providers as well as companies in the finance, hospitality, media, government, health care and education industries.

NeoNova is a leader in managed IP services for Telcos, Municipal Organizations and Cable Companies. NeoNova enables service providers to offer premium integrated communications, superior customer support and professional services, and advanced subscriber and network management services. NeoNova delivers a future-proof platform with a comprehensive suite of applications and value-added services that allow service providers to become a best-in-class ISP in less time with a greater ROI.

nTelos is a leading provider of wireless and wireline communications services to consumers and businesses in Virginia and West Virginia under the nTelos brand name. Their wireless operations are composed of an nTelos branded retail business and a wholesale business that is operated under an exclusive contract with Sprint Nextel Corp. Founded in 1897, their wireline business and its predecessor organizations have a long history of providing exceptional telephone service in rural Virginia.

The NTT Communications Global IP Network provides high-volume IP transport with a range of carrier-strength bandwidth options. At its core is the global tier-1 IP Network with direct paths, routing options, and private peering points which utilizes a single autonomous system number (AS 2914) allowing for a ubiquitous route view worldwide. Typical customers include large content providers for IPTV, social networking, gaming, music and video; CDNs; broadband providers; webhosting companies; clouding computing and SaaS providers.

PalmettoNet is the largest provider of digital fiber optic network in the Carolinas. With over 3,100 fiber route miles, the PalmettoNet network blankets the Carolinas. PalmettoNet leases capacity to all prominent telecommunications carriers providing intrastate, interchange service in South Carolina. The network is maintained by over 100 fully trained field support professionals, plus dozens of technical engineers located throughout the Carolinas. Their Customer Service Center (CSC) is a state of the art facility manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week monitoring over 80 points of presence throughout South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia.

Pronets is a full solution technology company. They are a leader in southwest Virginia and the surrounding area. Pronets has created and supported web sites all over the United States. They handle network support, contract management, wireless Internet, voice over IP, cabling, office supplies, systems administration and many other areas of office or company technology needs.

Since its inception in May of 2002, Pure Internet has been dedicated to bringing high-speed Internet service to Southern Virginia towns and communities at an affordable price. Their broadband service is now available in Alton, Charlotte Court House, Keysville, Brookneal, Halifax, South Boston, Clover, Virgilina, Turbeville, Vernon Hill, Volens and surrounding communities. They also offer secure remote backup services.

Founded in 2005, RAF Wireless offers Wireless Internet Service, RF Engineering, Systems Design, Network Architecture and Infrastructure Deployment to the broadband industry. RAF Wireless offers potential WISPs with the experience & prudent management to establish operations, Tower Design & Construction, Fiber-to-Microwave Link Design & FCC Licensing Applications. RAF Wireless also offers full system maintenance, computer sales & service as well as being an authorized dealer of many product lines for the wireless & broadband industries.

Rev.Net is the only dial-up/broadband Internet access provider with its headquarters in the Roanoke Valley, Virginia. For the past 10 years, Rev.Net has provided Internet services to businesses and residents in the area. Rev.Net won the Torch Award for Ethics from the Roanoke Better Business Bureau in 2003 and the Small Technology Company of the Year award from the Roanoke Chamber of Commerce in 2004. Roanoke County and Roanoke City rely on Rev.Net to stream their council meetings to anyone connected to the Internet.

Shenandoah Telecommunications is a recognized leader in delivering a broad range of advanced telecommunications solutions. In business more than 100 years, Shentel offers superior customer service to back up its products. The Shentel.net website is specifically for local and long distance telephone, cable TV, Internet and alarm monitoring customers in a 10-county area in the northern Shenandoah Valley and West Virginia.

Sunset Digital is a regional ISP that is bringing fiber-optic broadband connectivity to the businesses and homes of Southwest Virginia. A trailblazer in the communications industry, Sunset designed, built and maintains one of the first networks of its kind in the United States - the Lenowisco Rural Area Network (R.A.N.). The R.A.N. is a Gig-Ethernet, active fiber-optic network with fast, reliable and affordable broadband access to multiple physical infrastructures. With this network, and Sunset’s many tributary networks, Sunset provides services to users in the area including Internet, private VLAN/point-to-point services and wholesale Internet options.

Telpage is a privately owned and managed, mid-Atlantic based mass communications company. Created in 1986, the company is committed to a mission of delivering effective and efficient communication solutions to the markets which it serves. Their services include cellular, local and national paging, two-way radios, Internet access, computer network infrastructure, and wireless communications.

The Wired Road is a collaboration of Carroll and Grayson counties and the City of Galax. The goal is to provide the businesses and residents of the region with access to world class broadband services using a fully integrated fiber and wireless network.

Tiamet Communications strives to deliver the best in high-speed, wireless Internet to the rural areas of Mecklenburg and surrounding Counties in Virginia. By providing this broadband access, they can bring educational programs, jobs and increased revenue to their local communities.

Formerly the carrier arm of Tiscali Group, Tinet is a global carrier exclusively committed to the IP and Ethernet wholesale market. They have been expanding their network in the United States , demonstrating their commitment to their North American and global clients’ ever-increasing demands for IP and Ethernet services.

Tinet is one of the first global carrier networks to have an entirely native IPv6-enabled backbone. They have been deploying Ethernet over MPLS services since 2002, anticipating the trend of replacing Ethernet WAN for traditional SDH/SONET technologies. Tinet delivers new services like Remote Peering and Remote Exchange Presence, allowing service providers to privately interconnect with each other or remotely interconnect to a public exchange using Tinet Ethernet Transport.

Vanco NetDirect provides the quickest and easiest access to the widest choice of network infrastructure in the world. NetDirect is a network infrastructure of MPLS, DIA/DSL and Private Line services across the US and in over 200 countries globally. It enables companies to design, build and sell national and international network solutions for enterprise customers in extended geographies, using a range of technology solutions. Vanco NetDirect is ideal for carriers, systems integrators and outsourcers looking to extend their reach.

Verizon Communications Inc., headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving more than 86 million customers nationwide. Verizon's Wireline operations provide converged communications, information and entertainment services over the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network. Wireline also includes Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world.

Zayo is a provider of bandwidth infrastructure solutions and carrier neutral colocation. Zayo Group has autonomous business units that support customers who require lit and dark fiber services and carrier neutral colocation. Their bandwidth infrastructure solutions are provided over their regional, metro and fiber-to-the-tower networks that cover 153 national markets.

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) in Danville, Virginia is Virginia Tech’s showcase partnership project for collaborating with local communities to develop a new economic future, founded on local assets and needs. By capitalizing on abundant regional assets, the research centers at IALR will transform Southside Virginia's economic and intellectual climate and serve as magnets to attract talent, technology, entrepreneurs, and national interest. From these centers, academic programs in both the undergraduate and graduate arenas are developing though IALR’s academic partners. Classes are offered through a combination of on-site and distance education to students located both at IALR and at learning center sites throughout Southside via the MBC fiber optic backbone.

Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative (MEC) is a member-owned, non-profit utility in south central Virginia. They provide electricity to over 29,000 consumers in nine counties. In addition to providing electricity, MEC works with local businesses and city, county and state officials to bring business and new industry to southern Virginia. They also support and help provide electrical safety awareness programs in their area.

The New College Institute (NCI), a state funded educational entity that provides degree completion at the bachelor’s and master’s levels, and offers programs that meet the needs of the region, are in high demand throughout the Commonwealth, or are niche programs drawing upon the special resources of the area.

The Southern Virginia Higher Education Center (HEC) provides affordable and accessible educational opportunities to the citizens of Southern Virginia through partnerships and regional cooperation. The Center provides access to academic programs from the GED to the Ph.D., as well as a large variety and number of special interest and non-credit programs.

Virginia's community colleges have a track record of over 40 years of educational excellence and innovation serving the needs of Virginia's citizens and strengthening the Commonwealth's economy. Virginia's General Assembly established the Virginia Community College System in 1966. One of the goals for the system was to provide for the development of a skilled and knowledgeable workforce to expand the state's economy. Today, Virginia's community colleges give every Virginian the opportunity to gain a quality education. Students may:

1. Earn a two-year associate's degree or a technical diploma or certificate.

2. Take college courses for credits that may be transferred to a four-year institution.

3. Attend developmental, remedial and continuing adult education programs.

In 2006, their enrollment topped 233,000 students, with an additional 170,000 students in customized and noncredit courses for workforce development services.

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is responsible for building, maintaining and operating the state's roads, bridges and tunnels. Virginia has the third-largest state-maintained highway system in the country.

The Virginia Tech Foundation was established in 1948 to receive, manage, and disburse private gifts in support of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech). The Foundation serves the university by generating significant funding from private sources and aggressively managing its assets to supplement state appropriations.