All across Middle Tennessee, students are heading back to school for the start of a new academic year! Families are juggling supply lists, schedule changes, and those last-minute trips to the store. As a parent of a college student now, I remember those busy and exciting times fondly. So, while you’re getting everything ready for the new year ahead, don’t forget one school supply that doesn’t come in a backpack: reliable high-speed internet. It’s more important than ever in helping students stay connected, complete assignments, and succeed in the classroom.
As a dad to a college student, I’ve seen this firsthand at every stage of my daughter’s academic journey. She’s now a sophomore at the University of Kentucky. Whether she’s taking online classes over the summer or coming home with friends for the weekend during the semester, fast fiber internet has always made a big difference in our household. It’s given her the flexibility to stay connected to her education even when she’s away from campus.
At United Communications, we understand how important those connections are for learners at every level. That’s why we’re committed to empowering local school systems with high-speed internet and helping families across our service area—from rural communities to fast-growing suburbs—prepare for the year ahead.
United Communications Home Internet Solutions For Student Success
In today’s educational landscape, home internet has become a critical part of every student’s success. From completing homework and collaborating on group projects to attending virtual classes or streaming lessons, the right connection can help our students stay focused, productive, and prepared. Here’s how United’s high-speed internet and smart features help support learning at every level:
1. High-Speed Home Internet for Access to Educational Opportunities
More schools and teachers are using digital tools than ever before, including online assignments, video lectures, and educational apps. For students to keep up, a strong internet connection isn’t optional—it’s essential.
Personally and through United, I’ve seen how critical it is for students, especially those in rural areas, to have reliable access to learning tools at home. Because of that, we’ve worked hard to expand our fiber network and bridge the digital divide across Middle Tennessee. Our mission is to make sure every student, no matter their ZIP code, can tap into the same educational opportunities from the comfort of their own home.
Not sure if your current plan is keeping up with your household’s needs? You can check your internet speed and explore which United plan might be the best fit for your family as the school year begins.
2. Managing Home Internet Access with Multiple Devices
Between laptops, tablets, smart TVs, and smartphones, there are a lot of devices competing for bandwidth at home, especially with multiple students doing homework, attending virtual classes, or streaming educational content. United’s fiber internet is built to handle it all, so everyone in the family can stay connected without frustrating lags or interruptions. And with our Ultimate UControl App, you can take it a step further by scheduling network priorities. Want to make sure your student’s laptop has priority during virtual learning hours? You can do that through the app. It’s an easy way to keep everything running smoothly during those critical study windows.
For families who need the ultimate in bandwidth and reliability, United Communications offers the 8 Gig Premier plan—our fastest and most advanced internet option. With 80 times the bandwidth of a standard 100 Mbps connection, it delivers seamless streaming, gaming, video calls, and uploads even with dozens of devices connected at once. The 8 Gig Premier plan includes a powerful Wi-Fi 7 router and mesh system for seamless whole-home coverage and ultra-low latency—perfect for busy households, especially when group homework sessions or study parties fill the house with connected devices.
3. Creating Structure and Online Safety with Smart Filters
We all want our kids to stay safe online, and sometimes that means setting a few boundaries. You can set safe guardrails for your children by limiting screen time during homework hours or making sure devices are offline by bedtime.
That’s where the UControl App really shines. Parents can create custom schedules, manage screen time, and even pause internet access on individual devices. It’s one of the simplest ways to build healthy digital habits as the school year ramps up.
4. Staying Connected to Friends and Support Networks
School isn’t just about academics. It’s also about building relationships. Whether your student is in middle school or college, staying connected to friends, classmates, and teachers is part of what helps them thrive.
With United’s high-speed internet, your student can jump on video calls for group projects, participate in virtual clubs or study sessions, or simply catch up with friends over FaceTime. It’s one more way a strong internet connection supports both learning and social well-being.
Supporting Students Every Step of the Way
At United Communications, we believe in investing in our future. That’s why we go beyond just providing internet. Initiatives like our Student Ambassador Program and our annualUnited Community Foundation Scholarship for high school seniors show our commitment to supporting student success in every community we serve.
As you sharpen pencils and sync calendars this fall, don’t forget to make sure your home internet is ready, too. If you have questions or need help optimizing your setup, our local customer support team is here to help.
Let’s make this school year the best one yet—with fast, reliable internet that keeps your family connected and your students set up for success.
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Author Bio:
Rick Jurosky (and daughter)
Chief Infrastructure Officer of United Communications
Rick Jurosky began his career in Pennsylvania as an engineer in the telephone industry when deregulation drove competitive prices and more options for consumers nationwide. Today, Rick plays a pivotal role in providing access and affordability for United Communications customers throughout Middle Tennessee. As a leader at United, Rick oversees the planning, engineering, and construction of fiber network infrastructure, ensuring efficient and scalable deployment across the service area. He uses his engineering expertise to solve network issues from a field operations perspective. Passionate about serving his community, Rick uses his experience and creativity to connect citizens throughout Middle Tennessee. He earned a degree in electrical engineering technology from Penn State University and currently resides with his family in Middle Tennessee.