Bay Springs, MS — TEC, a leading provider of rural broadband, is pleased to announce a new fiber internet project in Jasper County. This project is working in coordination with the West Jasper School District and will increase access to broadband for local students. The Mississippi Pandemic Response Broadband Availability Act, passed by the Mississippi legislature, allocated funding to the Mississippi Department of Education; West Jasper School District has applied for funding in order to assist students with distance learning and daily educational benefits. Construction will begin on October 20, 2020 and finish by December 1, 2020, allowing for internet speeds up to 1 Gig. When completed, the project will connect 135 homes and include about 10 miles of fiber optic cable.
Joey Garner Joey F. Garner, Executive Vice President of TEC says, “TEC is delighted to work with our local School District, to offer internet speeds up to 1 Gig for many students who do not have this high-speed access currently. Together, with a common focus and goal, we are meeting the needs of our community. We are honored to participate in this cooperative endeavor that will benefit so many people.”
Fiber optic broadband is a future-proof technology that increases property values and improves the quality of life. Fiber broadband means better access to health care through telemedicine, more educational opportunities through distance learning, increased opportunities for economic development, and of course, a better video streaming and gaming experience. The potential is unlimited.
West Jasper School District Superintendent of Education, Warren Woodrow, says, “West Jasper is pleased to be able to collaborate with TEC to use these funds allocated by House Bill 1788 to offer increased internet accessibility to unserved areas in our school district. We greatly appreciate the cooperation TEC has shown by helping to make this project possible in such a short timeframe.”
TEC was founded and based in Bay Springs. The technology company has been providing telecom services to rural America for nearly a century, and they were the first to bring internet options to its rural markets over 20 years ago. TEC provides economic stability to their local service areas, employing over 200 people across Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee. Currently, TEC has invested in and maintains approximately 3,700 miles of copper and over 1,300 miles of fiber in its rural markets.
For more information, visit www.TEC.com.