Murfreesboro, TN - In a move to expand internet connectivity in Murfreesboro and Rutherford County, United Communications, in partnership with Middle Tennessee Electric (MTE), is set to officially open their new Rutherford Operations Center next week. The opening of the new operations center comes with an $85 million investment to provide high speed internet to an expanded service area that includes 77-thousand customers.
The company boasts bandwidths of up to 2-Gigabits, which are delivered over their fiber network. Married to their double digit gigabits is the latest Wi-Fi 6 technology. United Communications also provides phone services that are catered to both residential and business addresses across Middle Tennessee.
The roots of this initiative can be traced back to the Tennessee Broadband Accessibility Act of 2017, a legislative push aimed at narrowing the digital divide in rural communities. This act mirrors the transformative impact reminiscent of the electrification efforts seen in the 1930s. In today's world, where fast internet is essential for education, work, and entertainment, such initiatives play a crucial role in promoting inclusivity and driving progress.
Reflecting on the landscape of internet connectivity in the early 2000s, high-speed internet was a luxury that didn't exist. However, slower speed internet service was readily available and 50.4% of American households had just that, slower speed internet service. At the same time in places like Tennessee, those who lived in rural areas had no internet at all. Comparatively in 1925, only about half of the homes in America had access to electricity.
The passage of the Broadband Accessibility Act in the Volunteer State paved the way for cooperatives like Middle Tennessee Electric to step into the realm of providing high-speed internet services.
Fast forward to 2021, just four years after the enactment of the accessibility act, and the landscape has significantly transformed. Reports indicate that 65% of households in some of Tennessee's most rural areas now have access to broadband internet services. This marks a stark contrast to the pre-act era, where high-speed internet was virtually non-existent in these regions.
With an extensive infrastructure spanning over 3,700 route miles of fiber, United Communications' footprint extends across Bedford, Davidson, Franklin, Marshall, Maury, Rutherford, Williamson, and Wilson counties. The deployment of broadband infrastructure not only addresses immediate connectivity needs but also acts as a catalyst for economic development, fostering growth and innovation within local communities, notably Rutherford County.
The unveiling of the Rutherford Operations Center comes with not only improved internet opportunities, but also the opportunity for more jobs in the Murfreesboro area. You can learn more about working for United Communications by being at next Tuesday's ribbon cutting event from 11 AM to 12 Noon. It will be at 1010 Haley Road, in Murfreesboro.
