Mid-Atlantic Broadband Surpasses 1,000 Middle-Mile Commercial Fiber Connections in Southern Virginia, Fueling Regional Growth
South Boston, VA – April 10, 2025 – Mid-Atlantic Broadband Communities Corporation (MBC) is proud to announce a major milestone in its ongoing mission to strengthen connectivity and drive economic opportunity across Southern Virginia: more than 1,000 commercial locations are now connected through MBC’s robust middle-mile fiber network.
This achievement reflects MBC’s long-standing commitment to improving broadband access and supporting economic growth in Southern Virginia by delivering high-speed, reliable fiber connectivity to businesses, industries, and critical infrastructure throughout the region.
“The backbone of any strong economy is connectivity, and surpassing 1,000 middle-mile commercial connections is a testament to our unwavering dedication to support our telecom provider customers that serve our communities in Southern Virginia,” said Tad Deriso, MBC President & CEO. “Reliable connectivity is essential for innovation, job creation, and private sector investments, and we are proud to provide the connectivity that helps form the foundation of our region’s economy.”
In 2004, the MBC fiber network was originally planned to connect 60 industrial parks in 24 localities. Today, the open-access network spans over 2,500 route miles in 41 localities with more than 6 Terabits per second (Tbps) of capacity provisioned and serves as the backbone for broadband expansion in the region. As a middle-mile provider, MBC partners with internet service providers and other telecom providers to ensure access for end-users, helping businesses and communities stay connected and competitive.
“This milestone represents a significant achievement for MBC and the region we serve,” said Randy Lail, Chairman of the MBC Board. “By providing the critical middle-mile infrastructure needed to support last-mile service providers, we’re enabling more communities and businesses to access the broadband they need to grow and compete. It’s a powerful example of how strategic infrastructure investment can drive long-term economic impact.”
MBC’s early growth was made possible by infrastructure grant funding from the Virginia Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission and the US Department of Commerce. Over the past decade, the network has more than doubled in size, and MBC continues to operate as a self-sustaining organization focused on reinvesting in the region’s future.
As Southern Virginia evolves, MBC remains committed to delivering the infrastructure necessary for continued innovation and economic development. This milestone marks a significant step forward — and the beginning of even greater expansion.
For more information, visit www.mbc-va.com.
About Mid-Atlantic Broadband (MBC)
Mid-Atlantic Broadband Communities Corporation (MBC) is a non-profit middle-mile broadband provider committed to driving technological advancement and the economic progress of Southern Virginia. Through the operation of 2,500 miles of open-access fiber optic network, MBC provides wholesale optical transport, dark fiber, and colocation services to carriers, ISPs, data center operators, and other telecom providers. MBC’s strategic presence in major internet peering exchange points is instrumental in significantly reducing the time and cost for telecom providers to reach their customers in rural Virginia markets, helping to bridge the digital divide and empowering underserved areas with reliable connectivity. MBC’s robust infrastructure serves as a catalyst for job creation, playing a pivotal role in attracting data centers, advanced manufacturing, and other major commercial investments to the region. MBC also fosters innovation through the SOVA Innovation Hub, a partnership with Microsoft Techspark designed to support digital skills development and entrepreneurship in the region.