Erin, TN — TEC, a leading provider of rural fiber broadband in Tennessee, has started construction to bring Fast Fiber Internet to additional parts of Benton County, Tennessee. Downtown Big Sandy and Eva area are next to receive TEC’s full suite of residential and business services. TEC is investing over $800,000 to decrease the digital divide for this rural community.
Dependable fiber internet connections make many of life’s daily tasks easier, with the gained access to high-speed broadband, this will change the economic landscape for the Big Sandy area businesses, allowing them to have a more efficient production of goods and services. TEC’s goal is to provide rural communities a reliable, high-quality, and affordable broadband solution. More than ever, TEC’s services are indispensable for being able to work from home, online education, telemedicine, and entertainment purposes.
Joey Garner “I am thrilled for TEC to introduce Fast Fiber Internet to our neighbors in Big Sandy and Eva,” says Joey F. Garner, Executive Vice President of TEC. “We are ready to connect people with friends, family, and the world through dependable broadband internet applications. TEC is committed to providing this community with life-changing, state-of-the-art technology.”
In this project, TEC will construct over 20 miles of fiber network and be able to connect 900 businesses and residences. Community members will have access to TEC’s Fast Fiber Internet with upload and download speeds of 1 Gig, plus phone and a full suite of business services. Interested customers should submit their information to www.TEC.com/SignUp to request access to Fast Fiber Internet, and ask their neighbors and friends to do the same.
“We are very pleased to see the expansion and creation of new Broadband & Fiber access and opportunities for Benton County, but especially for the north end of Benton County as it is one of our most under-served areas, states Benton County Mayor, Brett Lashlee. “Unfortunately, prior to becoming County Mayor, Benton County was ranked 94 out of 95 in broadband accessibility and expanding broadband in the county is one of my highest priorities. Combined with the impact of COVID on our school system, the lack of affordable and quality access has greatly impacted our school’s ability to provide educational instruction via broadband in the homes. TEC’s expansion in multiple areas of Benton County is something we welcome with open arms. TEC is a high quality and affordable provider and I encourage our residents in the TEC coverage areas to seek out TEC’s services and coverage plans for personal, home and business needs. I am very encouraged to see our broadband footprint grow in Benton County and TEC has been an integral part of this expansion of opportunity for our citizens.”
TEC provides economic stability to its local service areas, employing over 200 people across Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia, and Louisiana. Currently, TEC has invested in and maintains approximately 1,400 miles of fiber in its rural markets. For nearly a century, TEC has been a forerunner in providing telecommunications services to rural America and was the first to bring internet options to many rural markets more than 20 years ago. For more information, visit www.TEC.com.