Citizens Telephone Cooperative Announces the
Launch of SmartTown Community Wi-Fi
Secure Community Wi-Fi for First Responders, Residents, and Visitors to Floyd County
Following the completion of county-wide fiber optic construction, Citizens Telephone Cooperative, in partnership with the County of Floyd, is expanding the use of its robust network beyond homes and businesses. Today, Citizens announced the launch of Citizens SmartTown Community Wi-Fi, a secure mobile Wi-Fi service designed for both subscribers and visitors.
Public Wi-Fi has been available in several Floyd County locations for years, offering a quick and reliable way to get online. However, the need for expanded access became clear—particularly in emergencies and areas with limited or no cellular coverage. Citizens responded by utilizing equipment in subscribers’ homes, activating a separate access connection for connectivity, which keeps subscribers' data separate and unaffected. The Co-op has installed outdoor Wi-Fi units at public gathering spots and is working with local businesses to broaden coverage.
“Think of it as a blanket of secure Wi-Fi connectivity across our county,” explained Donna Smith, CEO & General Manager of Citizens. “Community Wi-Fi keeps subscribers connected and provides critical support for EMS and first responders in areas where cellular service is limited.”
How It Works:
- For Citizens Subscribers: Eligible customers will be invited to join SmartTown Community Wi-Fi. With the proper equipment, their home connection can act as a secure hotspot, helping to extend coverage throughout the county. Importantly, Community Wi-Fi is not a replacement for home Internet and does not use subscriber data—it runs on a separate, secure connection.
- For EMS and First Responders: SmartTown Community Wi-Fi provides automatic, secure connections in the field, eliminating delays caused by limited coverage and protecting the privacy of residents.
- For Security: Citizens SmartTown Wi-Fi includes built-in encryption, ProtectIQ® and ExperienceIQ® protections, and an authenticated profile for a safe and private online experience.
Subscribers can set up access in just five easy steps, which takes approximately two minutes. Once the Passpoint® profile is installed, devices automatically connect to hotspots as users travel through participating areas.
Community Wi-Fi across Floyd County is a game-changer for public safety and local connectivity. From an IT standpoint, this provides a secure, reliable infrastructure for our residents. For EMS and first responders, it ensures critical information can flow without delay, even in areas with limited cellular coverage. In emergencies, every second counts, and this initiative helps keep both first responders and residents connected when it matters most.”
Phased Rollout:
“This rollout will happen in phases,” noted Lydeana Martin, Floyd County Economic Director. “We’re starting with EMS and first responders, then Citizens will invite subscribers to join. This initiative is about saving time and lives in emergencies where every second counts.”
Subscribers will also have the option to opt out if they prefer not to participate or don’t wish to access the Community Wi-Fi service.
Where to Connect Today:
Citizens SmartTown Community Wi-Fi is now live at several locations, with plans to expand for more connectivity:
- Floyd Parks & Recreation ballfields
- Warren G. Lineberry Park, Floyd
- Citizens’ Office parking lot, Floyd
- Turman’s Sports Complex, Willis (Operational between 7 am - 9 pm)
- Willis Village Mart, Willis - Coming Soon
- Country Store of Check
- Dugspur Community Center
- Dugspur Deli Mart
- Southwest VA Farmer’s Market, Hillsville
- Carroll County Ballfield
- Carroll County Playground/Splash Pad
- Ivanhoe Civic League
- Poor Farmer’s Market, Meadow of Dan - Coming Soon
Additional Community Wi-Fi locations will be announced as expansion continues.
To learn more and watch an overview video, visit citizens.coop/smart-town.
Citizens is a member-owned Cooperative providing fiber optic Internet, telephone, and TV to Floyd County and surrounding communities for over 110 years. Citizens provides symmetrical broadband and hosted phone solutions for businesses, schools, government agencies, and industrial parks throughout Southwest Virginia. Hours of operation are 8 am to 5 pm Monday - Friday, and 9 am to 12 pm on Saturday. Citizens is located at 220 Webbs Mill Road, Floyd, VA 24091