After more than two decades of waiting, Kara Williams finally has high-speed internet.
A lifelong resident of Maury County, Kara lives just north of Columbia, about three miles outside the city limits. She and her husband have lived there for 26 years, surrounded by a small community of neighbors who, like her, had long hoped for reliable broadband access. On September 20, fiber broadband was finally installed on her road, thanks to United Communications.
“I’ve followed United’s work in Maury County since they received their grant,” Kara said, referring to a local $24.4 million investment started in 2022. “I would check the map every so often to see when it might be coming to our area. When it finally happened, we were all so excited—me and all my neighbors.”
From Dial-Up to Fiber
Before United arrived, Kara’s internet options were limited. For a few years, she relied on a mobile hotspot device. Before that, dial-up was their only option.
“It just wasn’t reliable,” she explained. “You never knew if it would stay connected, especially if more than one of us was using it. I remember during COVID, I’d try to get on a Zoom meeting and my screen would freeze with that ‘unstable connection’ message.”
Now, with United’s fiber service, those frustrations are a thing of the past. “I haven’t had a single speed or buffering issue,” Kara said. “We can stream TV, use our phones and iPads, and even do video calls—all at the same time.”
Watch Kara share a short snippet of her story in her own words.
Open Spaces and Strong Connections
Kara and her husband enjoy the peaceful life that comes with living on a few acres outside the city. “I love the wide-open spaces,” she said. “All my neighbors are wonderful. We look out for each other. The birds sound better, the crickets sound better, and you can see the stars. It feels like home to me.”
That quiet life now includes a reliable, high-speed connection that keeps them linked to work, family, and entertainment, which is especially useful when their kids and extended family come to visit.
“The installation crew was super friendly and professional,” said Kara. “From signing up online to the actual install, everything was smooth. The technician could tell how happy everyone on the road was to see him. It was like seeing the ice cream man as a kid.”
Supporting a Local Internet Provider
As a Maury County native, Kara says it means a lot to have a local provider bringing world-class broadband to rural residents. “I’ve always believed in shopping local,” she said. “United is a hometown company. They care about their customers, and they care about making sure rural folks have the same access as anyone else.”
Kara has already been spreading the word in her neighborhood’s Facebook group, encouraging others to make the switch. “It’s been perfect,” she said. “Easy installation, great price, and no problems at all.”
Ready to experience the United difference for yourself? Check service availability in your area today.