Shentel Expands High-Speed, Reliable Broadband Service in Campbell County, VA

Rhea-AI Summary

Shenandoah Telecommunications (NASDAQ: SHEN) has expanded its high-speed broadband service in Campbell County, Virginia, connecting approximately 3,300 additional homes with plans to add 200 more by month-end. The $20 million construction project is partially funded through Virginia's VATI initiative, with additional funding from Shentel's capital investment and Campbell County.

The expansion aims to provide gigabit internet service to rural areas, offering fast and reliable connectivity with no long-term contracts. The project represents a significant milestone in bridging the digital divide in rural Virginia, focusing on improving access to education, healthcare, and economic development opportunities.

Positive

• Investment of $20 million in infrastructure expansion
• Addition of 3,300 new serviceable homes with 200 more planned
• Government funding support through VATI initiative reduces capital burden
• Strategic expansion into underserved rural markets strengthens market position

Negative

• Significant capital expenditure required for rural expansion
• Potential for lower return on investment in less densely populated areas

Insights

Telecommunications Analyst

Shentel's $20M Campbell County expansion adds 3,500 households to its fiber footprint, strengthening rural market positioning and revenue potential.

Shentel's expansion into Campbell County represents a strategic $20 million infrastructure investment that addresses the critical rural broadband gap while extending their serviceable market. The addition of 3,300 homes already, with 200 more coming this month, significantly increases their potential subscriber base in Virginia, one of their core operating regions.

The project's funding structure is particularly noteworthy - by leveraging the Virginia Telecommunication Initiative (VATI) grant alongside county contributions, Shentel has effectively reduced their capital burden while maintaining ownership of the resulting infrastructure. This public-private partnership model optimizes their capital efficiency for rural expansion where ROI timelines are typically longer.

Rural broadband represents a growth market with limited competition compared to metropolitan areas where multiple providers often create margin pressure. By focusing on underserved communities, Shentel is pursuing a differentiated strategy that aligns with federal and state broadband initiatives while potentially yielding stronger customer retention due to fewer competitive alternatives.

The $20 million investment demonstrates meaningful scale - assuming industry-standard costs of $1,500-2,500 per home passed for fiber deployments, the 3,500 homes would typically require $5.25-8.75 million for infrastructure alone. The higher total investment suggests either premium construction requirements in this rural area or additional network enhancements beyond the last-mile connections.

EDINBURG, Va., Sept. 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Shenandoah Telecommunications Company (Shentel) (Nasdaq: SHEN), a leading provider of broadband services, recently extended high-speed, gigabit internet service to approximately 3,300 additional homes in Campbell County, Virginia and plans to add about 200 more by the end of the month. This $20 million construction project is partly funded by the Commonwealth of Virginia’s nationally recognized Virginia Telecommunication Initiative (VATI) run by the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). The rest of the funding comes from Shentel’s own capital investment and a contribution from Campbell County. The goal of the VATI initiative is to create strong, competitive communities by expanding broadband infrastructure into rural areas that lack access to high-speed internet.

"Campbell County is excited by the progress Shentel has made in making broadband internet available to so many underserved households and businesses in the County," said Paul Harvey, Assistant County Administrator with Campbell County. The collaboration on the VATI project is noteworthy and is resulting in a tangible benefit to many of our citizens."

As a leading broadband internet provider serving smaller markets and rural communities, Shentel takes great pride in several key differentiators:

• Fast internet with exceptional reliability
• Easy, straight-forward pricing with no long-term contracts
• Prompt and friendly local customer service
• A full range of video and voice service options
  
  

“Shentel is proud to have partnered with the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development to expand high-speed broadband access through the VATI program,” said Chris Kyle, Vice President of Regulatory & Industry Affairs of Shentel. “With deep roots in Virginia and a long-standing commitment to serving rural communities, we have worked hard to expand to previously underserved areas of Campbell County. The Campbell County staff has also been incredibly supportive and collaborative throughout the process, and their dedication to improving connectivity for their residents has made a meaningful impact. Ensuring that rural Virginians have access to the same reliable internet as those in more metropolitan areas is essential for unlocking opportunities in education, healthcare, and economic development—no matter where they call home.”

To learn more about Shentel, please visit www.shentel.com for residential service and www.shentelbusiness.com for commercial service.

About Shenandoah Telecommunications
Shenandoah Telecommunications Company (Shentel) provides broadband services through its high speed, state-of-the-art fiber optic and cable networks to residential and commercial customers in eight contiguous states in the eastern United States. Shentel’s services include: broadband internet, video, voice, high-speed Ethernet, dark fiber leasing, and managed network services. The Company owns an extensive regional network with over 17,700 route miles of fiber. For more information, please visit www.shentel.com.

Media Contact:
Jennifer McDowell
Jennifer.McDowell@emp.shentel.com
540-984-5055

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9d9e3167-7f61-4dab-a8b8-0b8ad854f394

FAQ

How many new homes will Shentel (NASDAQ: SHEN) connect in Campbell County, VA?

Shentel will connect 3,300 homes initially, with plans to add 200 more homes by the end of the month in Campbell County, VA.

What is the total investment for Shentel's Campbell County broadband expansion?

The total construction project investment is $20 million, funded through a combination of VATI initiative, Shentel's capital investment, and Campbell County contribution.

What services does Shentel (NASDAQ: SHEN) offer in Campbell County?

Shentel offers high-speed gigabit internet with exceptional reliability, straight-forward pricing without long-term contracts, local customer service, and a full range of video and voice service options.

How is Shentel's Campbell County expansion being funded?

The expansion is funded through a partnership between the Virginia Telecommunication Initiative (VATI), Shentel's own capital investment, and contributions from Campbell County.

What are the benefits of Shentel's rural broadband expansion in Virginia?

The expansion provides rural Virginians with access to reliable internet, enabling better opportunities in education, healthcare, and economic development in previously underserved areas.