B2XOnline, Inc. to open technical support office at the Heartland Regional Business Park
December 12, 2016 – Mid-Atlantic Broadband Communities Corporation (MBC) announced today that it has partnered with B2X Online, Inc. (B2X), a wireless internet service provider based in Salem, Virginia, to assist with technical and customer support for the TV White Space (TVWS) Project, which is funded by Microsoft, the Virginia Tobacco Commission, and MBC. This project aims to address the “Homework Gap” that rural area students face without access to broadband at home.
The TV White Space (TVWS) Project in Southern Virginia utilizes TV White Space technology, and aims to solve the access and affordability broadband gap in the Southern Virginia region by connecting school children without broadband at home to dedicated educational content and school resources at no cost. MBC’s open-access wireless broadband network will allow B2X to sell their standard internet services to households and businesses located in the initial areas of Charlotte and Halifax Counties.
B2X Online will offer technical and customer support from their newly established office at the Heartland Regional Business Park in Charlotte County, Virginia. B2X expects to initially create 3 to 4 jobs to support the initial build-out and operations of the TV White Space network in Charlotte and Halifax Counties.
“We are excited to partner with B2X Online on the TV White Space project,” said Tad Deriso, MBC President & CEO. “Their expertise in wireless networks, technical support and their existing help desk and customer support expertise will be extremely valuable as we strive to connect students to this innovative network that bridges the homework gap in Southern Virginia.”
“I see the TV White Space Project as an excellent opportunity for B2X to continue with its mission of providing internet service to unserved and underserved areas,” said Warren Kane, CEO of B2X. “The project will initially benefit students, but ultimately all members of the community. The project’s investment in an open-access wireless broadband network will support B2X’s long term plans to expand services in Southern Virginia.”
“I’m delighted that the Tobacco Commission investments in rural broadband are paying dividends for the rural parts of Charlotte and Halifax Counties” said Senator Frank Ruff, 15th District of Virginia, and Vice-Chairman of the Virginia Tobacco Commission. “We welcome B2X to Charlotte County and look forward to their continued support. The Commission looks at this as a model to expand broadband services to all parts of the region.”
“Having affordable access to broadband is a critical issue for our community,” said Haywood Hamlet, Chairman of the Charlotte County Board of Supervisors. “We are excited about MBC’s partnership with B2X Online and are very pleased that B2X will be establishing a technical and customer support office in Charlotte County.”
“The Heartland Board of Directors is pleased to welcome B2X as a tenant at our facility,” said Gary Walker, Chairman of the Heartland Authority Board, comprised of Amelia, Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland, Lunenburg and Prince Edward Counties. “We look forward to helping B2X grow their business at Heartland Regional Business Park.”
About Mid-Atlantic Broadband Communities Corporation
Mid-Atlantic Broadband Communities Corporation (MBC) is a non-profit 501(c)(4) organization, committed to providing economic development leadership to Southern Virginia. MBC promotes economic development in Southern Virginia through the operation of a successful advanced open access fiber optic network, providing wholesale telecommunications transport services, colocation and tower leasing. Since its inception in 2004 and by offering a state-of-the art fiber optic network, MBC has supported the recruitment of major investments including data centers, call center/operations centers, advanced manufacturing, research and development, and bio-tech industries. For more information, visit www.mbc-va.com.