Virginia Beach Recognized for Efforts to Expand Digital Equity

The City of Virginia Beach’s Regional Connectivity Ring (RCR) was awarded the Community Broadband Project of the year, recognizing it among innovative projects in government, business and local communities across the nation. 

The RCR is a high-capacity fiber-optic network that aims to improve the availability of affordable high-speed internet throughout southside Hampton Roads. The RCR will connect to the transatlantic cable landing stations in Virginia Beach, connecting the five southside cities (Portsmouth, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Suffolk and Virginia Beach) with our digital port.  

The award was presented to the City by the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA). 

What Does This Mean for Residents? 

The RCR is the backbone of a high-speed fiber-optic network that can be leased out to new and existing internet service providers (ISP) in the region. The ring will provide some of the fastest internet speeds available in the United States. In addition, the ring will reach areas that do not have high-speed internet, such as Pungo and Sandbridge. 

The RCR project is about 80% complete, with a projected completion date of March 2026.