You asked. We delivered.
In today’s world, internet connectivity is no longer a luxury—it is a necessity. Broadband is a vital resource that improves quality of life and economic development across our communities. Middle Tennessee Electric and United Communications have partnered to answer your calls to expand broadband access to underserved areas in Middle Tennessee. Many projects are already underway, and many more will begin soon.
The path to access.
We are working to accelerate broadband deployments to Tennesseans and businesses in the areas we serve. Full implementation will be a multi-year process. Under this partnership, we are committed to ensuring our customers have access to reliable, affordable broadband solutions.
Determine if you are already in a United service area, or register to express your interest in future broadband service.
FAQs
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1. What Middle Tennessee counties will be served by this new broadband partnership?
The partnership will focus on serving Middle Tennessee Electric members while United continues expansion projects in its existing service area. Middle Tennessee Electric currently serves Cannon, Rutherford, Williamson, and Wilson counties. United serves Bedford, Franklin, Marshall, Rutherford and Williamson counties.
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2. When will broadband be available at my home or business?
Full implementation will be a multi-year process. For many residents and businesses, broadband service may already be available. You can check current service availability. If service is not yet available in your area, you may register to express interest in broadband and request updates on future expansion plans. New broadband expansion areas will be prioritized based on community input and site registrations.
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3. How can I request broadband service for my home or business?
You can check service availability or register to express interest in future broadband service by vising our services map page. Your registration allows us to track interest in your area and build out new broadband services based on demand. Once you are registered, we can keep you informed with updates on future broadband expansion plans in your area. If you can’t find your address, please double check to make sure you’ve entered the right street name, apartment number and ZIP code. If you still cannot find your address, you can submit a request to have your address reviewed by our team at united@united.net.
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4. What is broadband and why is it important?
Broadband is, quite simply, high-speed internet access. Broadband can be delivered over multiple technologies, including fiber, cable, and fixed wireless. The official Federal Communications Commission (FCC) definition of broadband is a minimum of 25 Mbps (megabits per second) download and 3 Mbps upload. High-speed internet has revolutionized how we use technology in our homes and businesses. Imagine chatting with your doctors and teachers via video conference or collaborating on a work or school project with people across the country in real time. Faster speeds mean more possibilities for our residents, local businesses and communities.
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5. What Internet speeds will United offer?
United currently offers internet speeds to residential customers from 25 Mbps up to 1 Gbps (1 Gig), starting as low as $65/month (plus applicable fees and taxes). Check united.net for the latest offers and promotions.
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6. Will United offer Business Internet services?
Yes. United offers customized business Internet solutions to fit the needs of any size business with speeds of up to 10 Gbps. Please visit our business page for information on our business offerings.
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7. What can I expect to pay for broadband? Will I be charged for data usage?
United has internet plans starting at $65/month. Keep checking our site for the latest offers and promotions. All United Internet plans include unlimited usage. Stream all you want, with no unexpected overages each month.
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8. Will broadband services be deployed to ALL Middle Tennessee Electric members?
We are working diligently to identify areas in the Middle Tennessee Electric service area where new infrastructure can be deployed within the next year, however, the full project scope and implementation will be a multi-year process.
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9. Can Middle Tennessee Electric deliver broadband over its existing power lines?
No. Broadband will require new infrastructure such as fiber optic and fixed wireless technologies. United will leverage our existing fiber infrastructure in the areas we already serve to accelerate broadband expansion in the Middle Tennessee area.
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10. Will the cost of this new service affect Middle Tennessee Electric members’ electricity rates?
No. This partnership will not affect Middle Tennessee Electric’s electricity rates. The rates MTEMC members pay for residential service rank among the lowest in the nation…in fact, MTEMC’s residential rate is about 25 percent below the national average.
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11. If I am a current United customer, will this partnership affect when I will have fiber/broadband?
United will continue to expand high-speed Internet services to existing customers. This partnership will allow United to accelerate fiber expansion plans in the coming years. Areas selected for expansion will continue to be determined by online registrations.
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12. Will Middle Tennessee Electric or United consider partnerships with other companies or providers?
Yes. We believe the key to expanding broadband access to underserved areas will be to partner with other local and regional companies.
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13. Who will be on the United governing board?
The Board of United Communications will be expanded to include 3 additional members appointed by Middle Tennessee Electric. Initially, this will include Chris Jones, CEO of Middle Tennessee Electric, Brad Gibson, CCBO of Middle Tennessee Electric, and Steve Seger, a currently serving Middle Tennessee Electric board member.
Watch The Press Conference
Official Press Release
State’s Largest Electric Cooperative Partners with Local Internet Service Provider to Expand Broadband in Underserved Middle Tennessee Counties
Nashville, Tenn. – August 24, 2018 – Middle Tennessee Electric, the state’s largest electric cooperative, and United Communications, Middle Tennessee’s leading provider of fiber and fixed wireless internet services, today announced that they have partnered to expand broadband access to underserved areas across seven counties in Tennessee.
The partnership allows the two organizations to combine their resources and decades of experience to offer affordable, high-speed internet services to members and customers in the coming years and improve quality of life for those in the areas they serve.
The announcement was made by Chris Jones, president and CEO of Middle Tennessee Electric, and William Bradford, president and CEO of United Communications, in conjunction with Bob Rolfe, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner, at the Peytonsville Volunteer Fire Department on August 24th.
This initiative is already under way and full implementation will be a multi-year process. Based on input from the community, the partnership will prioritize implementation in areas with the highest demand. It allows both organizations to build a world-class smart grid in the region, at the lowest possible cost, while not impacting Middle Tennessee Electric members’ electric rates, which are some of the lowest in the country.
“We’re proud to be the first electric cooperative to pursue a partnership of this kind in Tennessee and answer the calls we have long heard from our members. They want and need access to broadband service,” said Chris Jones, president and CEO of Middle Tennessee Electric. “United Communications is the ideal partner for us. They have already built an impressive fiber backbone throughout many areas we serve which will allow us to work together to more rapidly and cost effectively expand internet services.”
“We are grateful to Governor Haslam, our Tennessee legislature and the FCC for paving the way for local providers like Middle Tennessee Electric to meet the broadband access needs of our members,” Jones added.
“This partnership is about two local companies, who share common values, working together to provide a broadband solution for our area,” said William Bradford, president and CEO of United Communications. “Ultimately, this will be great for economic development, support smart grid and smart home technologies, and improve quality of life in Middle Tennessee.”
The Peytonsville fire hall is in the center of an area that has requested broadband for more than 17 years and recently received gigabit speed fiber, which will enhance firehouse operations and improve mission critical communication systems, among other benefits.
“Our community relies on well-trained volunteers to provide superior emergency services. Reliable broadband access has allowed us to incorporate multimedia instruction into a well-rounded training program for our firefighters,” said Brian Jones, Peytonsville Volunteer Fire Department fire chief.
Middle Tennessee Electric members can register to receive updates on the expansion plan and determine if they are already in a United service area by visiting our service map page.
About Middle Tennessee Electric
Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative providing electricity to more than 225,000 residential and business members in Williamson, Wilson, Rutherford and Cannon counties. For more information, please visit www.mtemc.com.
About United Communications
United Communications is a leading provider of Internet, digital TV, and phone services to enterprise-class businesses and residential customers in Middle Tennessee. United Communications network includes close to 1,000 route miles of fiber connecting in Nashville and Murfreesboro, and covering portions of Williamson, Marshall, Bedford, Franklin and Rutherford counties.
Contact:
For United Communications
Missy Michaels
931-364-4354
mmichaels@gounited.net
For Middle Tennessee Electric
Brad Gibson
615-890-9762
Brad.Gibson@mtemc.com