How You Can Help

Correct mapping data is crucial to progress on building broadband infrastructure. To support the implementation of the State’s Broadband Investment Plan, the West Virginia Department of Economic Development (WVDED) and the West Virginia Broadband Enhancement Council are requesting comments from Internet Service Providers and communities to improve the accuracy of the maps that will be used to determine eligibility for funding under the American Rescue Plan Act.

Funding to build out internet in WV will only be made available to areas designated as underserved or unserved on the maps below, so it’s critical that Pocahontas County information is correct.

The Pocahontas County Broadband Council is collecting survey data to provide accurate data to the state.  Please participate in this survey, so that Pocahontas County can update the current maps with your accurate information.

Mapping Information

See below to compare federal maps, WV Department of Economic Development, and Pocahontas Broadband Council’s data maps that show which areas of the county are served with good internet.

Pocahontas Committed Broadband Projects and Future Buildouts

This map shows you existing infrastructure, the recently awarded Pocahontas ARC project, Proposed ReConnect Project, and RDOF/CAFII areas.

Pocahontas Survey Mapping Data versus FCC Data

This map shows you what the federal government (the FCC) classifies as served, underserved, or unserved for internet service. Our local survey data is overlayed so you can see where we’ve found discrepancies. Check your location on the map.  Does the FCC think you have good internet service?  Do you? Take a survey to help us build a more complete picture to submit to the state.

Current Federal Map

This map is the official federal map of our internet service in Pocahontas County.  While there are federal grants to help build good internet, if this map says an area is already served, they are not eligible for this funding.  If you are in an area that is marked as served, but you are not served, you can take steps to correct your map designation by taking the Pocahontas Broadband Council Survey.

Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Mapping

This map shows you the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) award areas by internet service provider (ISP).  Both Frontier and Citynet were awarded funding through the RDOF program to build fiber to home in Pocahontas County.  The companies have up to six years to complete the work from the date of the final award.

RDOF Map Image

WV Department of Economic Development Mapping

This map shows you the current WV Department of Economic Development map that we are submitting comments on.  The state is trying to collect the data by the end of 2021 to have accurate information so that they know where people do not have good access to the internet.  Feel  free to share

Note: The blue, not eligible, sections of the map represent Rural Digital Opportunity Funds award areas to Frontier and Citynet to build fiber internet in the future. It is still important that we collect data for these areas in the event that we can secure funding for projects in these areas that can get the internet upgraded and/or installed as quickly as possible.