At United Communications, I’ve always believed that being a local company doesn’t mean we can’t deliver world-class internet. In fact, it makes us even more committed to it. Because we live and work in the same communities we serve, when our neighbors need faster, more reliable connections, we take it personally.
Over the past decade, the need for broadband has only grown, and it’s not slowing down anytime soon. More devices, more video calls, more streaming, and more smart home technology. That’s why we’ve continually invested in our fiber network, expanding access and increasing speeds to meet our customers’ needs.
Most recently, that commitment has taken the shape of our fastest residential plan yet: 8 Gig Premier Internet. Over the past year, we’ve invested millions to expand this service to more homes and neighborhoods, and the truth is, we’re just getting started.
As Chief Infrastructure Officer at United, I’ve had a front-row seat to the evolution of our fiber network, from our early gigabit rollouts to our most recent launch of 8 Gig Premier. But I’m not just an executive looking at charts and network maps, I’m also a customer. I use 8 Gig Premier in my own home, and I can say this with confidence: it’s more than just faster speed and greater bandwidth — it’s an entirely new experience.
Why We’re Investing in 8 Gig Internet
Whenever we announce a new speed tier, one question always pops up: “Do people really need that much?” When it comes to 8 Gig Premier, my answer is simple: yes, absolutely.
The way we see it, our job isn’t to keep up with demand. It’s to stay ahead of it. If we waited until every household needed 8 Gig bandwidth to start building it, we’d already be behind. Internet usage trends tell us everything we need to know:
- The number of connected devices in homes keeps growing. Consumers aren’t just using computers and phones. TVs, thermostats, cameras, appliances, and even lightbulbs are now connected to the internet.
- Streaming quality keeps improving. 4K is common now, and 8K is on the horizon. High frame rate gaming, augmented reality, and virtual reality are moving from niche to mainstream.
- Upload demand is surging. Between remote work, cloud backups, and content creation, upload speeds matter more than ever.
- Households are multitasking at a massive scale. With video calls in the office, 4K streaming in the living room, gaming in the basement, and smart security running in the background all at once, our customers need bandwidth that can support how they actually live.
We’ve been here before. When we first rolled out our 1 Gig internet plans, some wondered if it was overkill. Today, it’s a standard expectation in many homes. 8 Gig Premier is the next step forward.
What it’s Like to Have 8 Gig Premier
When 8 Gig Premier became available in our community, I jumped on it right away. Here’s the difference I’ve noticed at home:
- No slowdowns. Ever. My family can all be doing their own thing: Zoom meetings, online classes, streaming in 4K, downloading huge games, all at the same time, without a single hiccup.
- Uploads that are over before I can sip my coffee. Because 8 Gig Premier offers symmetrical upload and download speeds, I can send large files often. What used to take minutes to download now finishes in seconds.
- Total peace of mind. I don’t even think about our internet bandwidth and speed anymore. I just know it’s there and ready for whatever we throw at it.
United Customers Are Upgrading and Loving It
The demand is already here. More and more customers are moving to 8 Gig Premier, and the reasons are remarkably consistent:
- Gamers and streamers want the absolute lowest latency. Even a split-second lag can make the difference in competitive play or a live broadcast, and 8 Gig’s symmetrical speeds eliminate that worry.
- Work-from-home professionals need reliable connections. Every employee who works from home knows the importance of internet that offers crystal-clear video calls and massive file transfers. Architects, designers, content creators, and developers often need to send gigabytes of data quickly, and 8 Gig Premier makes that data transfer instantaneous.
- Tech-forward households want to be future-ready. Investing in the highest internet tier today means they won’t have to upgrade again for years, no matter how fast technology moves.
From an Executive, a Customer, and a Believer
Rolling out 8 Gig Premier is just one step in our long-term vision for Middle Tennessee. We’ll continue expanding our fiber network, upgrading speeds, and delivering innovations that keep our customers ahead of the curve.
Whether you need the absolute fastest connection available or simply want reliable, everyday internet for your household, our goal is the same: to give you the best possible experience, backed by a team that treats you like a neighbor because you are.
How to Upgrade to 8 Gig Premier
Ready to upgrade? If you can’t tell, I’m a big fan. 8 Gig Premier is designed to give you the ultimate internet experience, and we are actively rolling this service out to all our service areas. If it’s not yet offered in your neighborhood, I recommend joining the 8 Gig Waitlist so you can be activated immediately when it becomes available in your area.
With this highest internet tier, you’ll enjoy a VIP experience with white glove customer service and access to a priority support line, where most calls are answered in under 30 seconds.
It also comes with some amazing perks, including the Ultimate UControl App, which provides parental controls, device prioritization, and real-time threat protection; static IP and DDoS protection for added stability and cybersecurity; and, last but not least, every installation comes with a Wi-Fi 7 router, delivering 4x lower latency than Wi-Fi 6/6E.
If you have questions, our local experts are here to help. When you decide to make the move to 8 Gig Premier, we think you’ll agree: it’s more than an upgrade. It’s the future, delivered today.
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Author Bio:
Rick Jurosky
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.