United Communications, a provider of internet and phone services to enterprise-class businesses and residential customers in Middle Tennessee, plans to invest another $85 million to expand its fiber-based broadband service to an additional 77,000 MTE members in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

A series of multi-year infrastructure projects will create 1,400 route miles of new fiber-optic lines capable of delivering multi-gig internet service to homes and businesses of all sizes.

This new fiber enhances its ongoing presence in the region. The Franklin-based telecom provider invested over $30 million in Rutherford County. This investment includes a recently completed fiber project connecting 18,000 homes and businesses in neighboring Smyrna and connecting the Rutherford County Emergency Communications District, which provides next-gen 911 emergency technology.

Bridging the divide

United also partners with the Murfreesboro Housing Authority to provide free internet service to qualifying households in low-income communities.

During Middle Tennessee Electric's recent annual meeting, United’s President and CEO William Bradford noted that the company’s approach to expansion in Murfreesboro reflects its mission of bridging the digital divide for everyone in Middle Tennessee.

“We’ve already completed phase one in the Boro, which includes our fiber backbone and service to more than 1,000 homes and businesses. As part of phase one, we also built fiber to the square in downtown Murfreesboro,” said Bradford. “It was a privilege to put our fiber infrastructure to work by connecting our neighbors in disadvantaged communities and adding resiliency to the local emergency communications network.”

Side benefits

Besides bringing a new choice in broadband to these communities, the new fiber network will provide other benefits to the city.

Bradford cited cost-saving smart grid solutions, a rapidly expanding need among enterprise-level users for symmetrical upload and download speeds, and even the emergence of quantum networking. This technology promises faster, more secure data transmission.

“We’re thrilled to announce this historic investment that will bring the same resilient, cutting-edge technology trusted by first responders to doorsteps and devices across the entire city,” he said.

The new fiber network will also affect the city’s economic development efforts. United Communications expects its investment in Murfreesboro to bring approximately 150 new jobs. In addition, United will be opening a new office location in Murfreesboro by the end of 2023.

“MTE and United continue to invest in the economic development of Murfreesboro,” said Chris Jones, CEO of Middle Tennessee Electric. “MTE recently acquired three buildings in Murfreesboro formerly occupied by Blackbox Network Services, where some of the 150 new United employees will be located. Additionally, the new fiber network United will build through the city will also enable an electric smart grid, allowing the community to boast a power network technology very few cities in the world have.”

In addition to expansion in Murfreesboro, United continues its expansion in other areas throughout Middle Tennessee as part of its Project UNITE. In 2022, United was awarded $53.4 million in grant support from the Tennessee Emergency Broadband Fund — the most significant single investment in state history — to expand fiber internet service in rural communities across Middle Tennessee.