Middle Tennessee Electric, the state's largest electric cooperative, and United Communications, a provider of fiber and fixed wireless Internet services, have partnered to expand broadband access to underserved areas across seven counties in Tennessee.
The initiative is already under way, and full implementation is expected to be a multi-year process. Based on input from the community, the partnership will prioritize implementation in areas with the highest demand.
"We're proud to be the first electric cooperative to pursue a partnership of this kind in Tennessee and answer the calls we have long heard from our members. They want and need access to broadband service," said Chris Jones, president and CEO of Middle Tennessee Electric. "United Communications is the ideal partner for us. They have already built an impressive fiber backbone throughout many areas we serve which will allow us to work together to more rapidly and cost effectively expand internet services."
"This partnership is about two local companies, who share common values, working together to provide a broadband solution for our area," said William Bradford, president and CEO of United Communications. "Ultimately, this will be great for economic development, support smart grid and smart home technologies, and improve quality of life in Middle Tennessee."