William Bradford, President and CEO of United Communications (at podium), presents the Wilson County Commission with an update about its recently completed $16 million fiber internet expansion in Wilson County on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. (United Communications)
LEBANON, Tenn. (Jan. 22, 2025) — United Communications, a leading fiber internet provider, and Middle Tennessee Electric (MTE) are proud to announce the completion of the first phase of a major infrastructure expansion effort in Wilson County. This $16 million investment will bring ultra-fast fiber internet to thousands of local residents and businesses, offering the fastest broadband speeds in the region.
The transformative project connects more than 10,000 new locations to Middle Tennessee’s highest-performing broadband network with download and upload speeds reaching 8 Gbps—over 40 times faster than the average internet speed in Tennessee.
“MTE members in Wilson County deserve the very best,” said Chris Jones, President and CEO of MTE. “This is what United Communications will deliver to them—the fastest and most reliable internet service with the same commitment to outstanding customer service provided by a team right here in Middle TN,” he continued.
This expansion includes approximately 2,000 locations that previously lacked access to any type of broadband internet service. Expansion to many of the unserved locations was made possible by a partnership with Wilson County. These projects were completed as part of Project UNITE, an initiative created by United Communications and MTE to bring high-speed, reliable internet service to every home and business in Middle Tennessee through local partnerships and strategic grant funding.
“We’re grateful for our strong relationship with MTE, the state’s largest electric cooperative, Mayor Hutto, and Wilson County leadership for making this historic investment possible,” said William Bradford, President and CEO of United Communications, during a presentation at this month’s Wilson County Commission meeting.
“This investment is about more than just building a network; it’s about delivering cutting-edge technology coupled with great customer service to meet the unique needs of our customers and communities. Through this project, we’re not only delivering blazing-fast internet but also helping improve quality of life, drive economic growth, and create new opportunities for Wilson County residents and businesses. And we’re just getting started,” Bradford added.
“We are already kicking off phase two of our expansion through the rest of the County and simultaneously working to secure additional grant awards for citizens who still lack access to fast, reliable broadband service,” Bradford concluded.
“I’m grateful to United Communications and their investment in this project,” Wilson County Mayor Randall Hutto stated. “Adequate internet access is paramount for our citizens, especially in the digital age we find ourselves. Thank you to the entire United Communications team.”
Wilson County residents are encouraged to visit United’s website and sign up for service as soon as possible to be the first to experience United’s new 8 Gig fiber internet service and the latest Wi-Fi technology that offers an unparalleled online experience.
To learn more about United Communications’ award-winning fiber broadband services for residential, business, and enterprise customers, visit United.net or call 1-800-779-2227 to speak with a local customer service representative.
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About United Communications
United Communications is a leading provider of internet and phone services to enterprise-class businesses and residential customers in Middle Tennessee. United has been nationally and regionally recognized, receiving a 2024 Gold Stevie Award from The 22nd American Business Awards, a 2023 Top 100 Fiber-To-The-Home Leader designation, a 2023 Torch Award from the BBB, a Smart Rural Community Provider award, and named one of the 2024 and 2023 Best Places To Work from the Nashville Business Journal.
United operates more than 3,800 route miles of fiber covering portions of Bedford, Davidson, Franklin, Giles, Lincoln, Marshall, Maury, Moore, Rutherford, Williamson, and Wilson counties. United Communications is a service of Middle Tennessee Electric. To learn more, please visit united.net.
About Middle Tennessee Electric
Founded in 1936, MTE is the largest electric cooperative in the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) region and the second largest in the United States. It serves more than 750,000 Tennesseans via 340,000+ accounts covering nearly 2,200 square miles in 11 Middle Tennessee counties, primarily Rutherford, Cannon, Williamson, and Wilson. Municipalities served include Murfreesboro, Franklin, Brentwood, Smyrna, La Vergne, Lebanon, and Mt. Juliet. MTE employs around 540 people in six local offices and its Murfreesboro headquarters.
Media Contact for United Communications
Chris Song
chris@greenapplestrategy.com