This means so much to us!

This year we were very excited to receive notice that Lingo Networks was nominated for a 2022 Tech Night Award hosted by the Shenandoah Valley Technology Council (SVTC) in the category of Innovation in Community Impact for our free public WiFi program and our collaboration with the Highland County Chamber of Commerce to provide WiFi for the 2022 Highland Maple Festival. We were honored to be nominated alongside Sentara RMH and a Blue Ridge Community College and James Madison University collaboration.

Last night, we had the pleasure of attending the 2022 Tech Night event and respectfully accepted the Innovation in Community Impact award on behalf of our team. Thank you to SVTC for recognizing innovation that impacts our community, not just at Lingo but throughout our community. Technology can often be a behind-the-scenes endeavor, but as all the nominees in this category show, that impact can be essential for our quality of life.

Here is what SVTC graciously said about the award:

Connectivity is an essential element of everyday life. The need for those living or visiting the Shenandoah Valley to accomplish tasks and maintain essential connections with others utilizing internet connectivity was further highlighted by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Lingo Networks powered by MGW began working with local school systems, libraries, community centers, and convenience stores in the Shenandoah Valley to identify locations and install equipment to set up 14 dedicated “drive-in” public WiFi access sites for community members who had limited or no Internet access. Using the existing Internet connections at the partner locations, Lingo Networks powered by MGW provided additional bandwidth to the public WiFi sites wherever possible and installed access points to provide public WiFi networks that were accessible from the parking lots.

Recently, in collaboration with the Highland County Chamber of Commerce, Lingo Networks powered by MGW launched a public WiFi access site and a private dedicated network for local vendors at the Stonewall Ruritan building to serve attendees at the 2022 Highland Maple Festival. Because cellular service in this area ranges from limited to unavailable, their efforts made it possible for individuals to send and receive VoIP phone calls and text messages and for vendors to process credit/debit card transactions.

The Internet access available at these community public WiFi locations enabled and continues to enable residents and visitors to stay connected with others and accomplish essential tasks in their daily lives. Whether making phone calls or sending texts in remote locations, participating in telehealth appointments, working or learning remotely, or connecting with others via video chat, these public WiFi locations remain a service that focuses on serving those in our communities by empowering them with free Internet access.

Thank you again to SVTC and our supporters (like you!) who made this night possible, and we celebrate our fellow nominees for their excellent work!