United Communications, Middle Tennessee Electric expand Williamson County rural fiber investment to target 8,000 addresses
FRANKLIN, Tenn. (April 25, 2024)—For residents in rural areas of Williamson County, the wait for fiber internet service may soon be over. United Communications announced today that it will increase the scope of its current broadband infrastructure expansion efforts in Williamson County to reach nearly 8,000 under-connected homes and businesses—a significant increase from its original goal of 2,800 locations.
The announcement was shared on social media in a video featuring Williamson County Mayor Rogers Anderson, United’s President and CEO William Bradford, and Chris Jones, President and CEO of Middle Tennessee Electric.
“Two years ago, in my State of the County Address, I laid out a vision to see every resident of Williamson County get access to high-speed internet,” said Mayor Anderson. “Starting next month, we are seeing that vision become a reality thanks to two local companies: United Communications and Middle Tennessee Electric.”
Through Project UNITE, an initiative to establish universal broadband coverage in Middle Tennessee, United and its parent company, Middle Tennessee Electric, secured $14 million in infrastructure grants for Williamson County through the Tennessee Emergency Broadband Fund in late 2022. United and the Williamson County Commission committed to a combined $6 million in supplemental funding.
While the grant-funded projects were limited to 2,800 locations based on federal guidelines, United is increasing its investment to continue building out its fiber network into neighboring communities with limited access to fixed broadband service.
“These are neighborhoods that just missed the cut for grant eligibility in 2022 but have remained largely ignored by large internet providers,” explained Bradford. “Thanks to our close partnership with Mayor Anderson, Middle Tennessee Electric, and our county commissioners, United has an opportunity to finish what we’ve started in Williamson County.”
MTE’s Chris Jones encourages anyone who might be interested in getting fiber internet service through United to act quickly to maximize their savings.
“Today’s announcement fits with MTE’s vision to see every one of our members have access to high-speed internet,” Jones stated. “But we need your help in getting to the finish line—and that’s just to sign up for this service. Sign up now to ensure your installation costs are covered by this state program.”
“Not only are we building the fastest network in Williamson County, but we are backing it up with the same great local customer service and reliability you are used to from Middle Tennessee Electric,” added Jones.
To ensure access to fiber internet service and avoid the potential of costly installation fees, Williamson County residents should visit United’s website to sign up now and guarantee that fiber internet is built to their home under this program.
The first customers will start getting service in May of this year, with installations continuing through 2025. To date, United Communications has invested more than $50 million to build a robust fiber optic network in Williamson County, where the company plans to reach 26,000 homes and businesses by early 2025.
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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, including 2023 Top 100 Fiber-To-The-Home Leader, 2023 Torch Award from the BBB, 2023 and 2024 Best Places To Work from Nashville Business Journal, a Smart Rural Community Provider℠, “Fastest Internet Service Provider” by BroadbandNow, and 2021 Broadband Communities Cornerstone Award.
United operates more than 3,700 route miles of fiber covering portions of Bedford, Davidson, Franklin, Marshall, Maury, Rutherford, Williamson, and Wilson counties. United Communications is a service of Middle Tennessee Electric. To learn more, please visit united.net.
