Cherokee, Alabama (July 12, 2021) --- TEC, a leading provider of rural fiber broadband in Alabama, has completed construction to bring Fast Fiber Internet to more communities of Colbert County. Installations are underway and customers are being upgraded to Fast Fiber Internet in the Allsboro, Mynot, Maud, Mhoontown, and Eagle Point communities. TEC is a recipient of a matching grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the Colbert County Community Broadband Project in the amount of $1,336,445. TEC has invested an additional $1,336,445 for a total project cost of $2,672,910.
“As a community leader and Principal of Cherokee Elementary, our community and students now have the availability to access high speed internet which is a tremendous positive due to the fact of our students working remotely/virtually and using Chromebooks to interact with their teachers and complete assignments,” says Principal Tiffany Fuqua of Cherokee Elementary School.
“This is an exciting development for Colbert County,” added Alabama House Representative, Andrew Sorrell. “The coronavirus pandemic showed us just how important rural broadband access can be. Those without it struggled to stay connected to essential service, like banking and remote learning last year.”
A reliable fiber internet connection offers many benefits like distance learning, telemedicine, work from home options, and entertainment capabilities. This additionally empowers the local business community to operate more efficiently and on a larger scale, allowing for more expansion and employment opportunities.
TEC’s Joey Garner also spoke to the benefits this expansion of services would bring to the area.
“We are excited about this project and what it means for Colbert County,” TEC Executive Vice President, Joey Garner said. “Dependable fiber connections make many of life’s daily tasks easier, but most importantly they are essential for improving economic landscapes for the future and opening new doors to distance learning and telemedicine. This project, along with many others currently in construction, is another positive step forward in solving the connectivity issues in rural Alabama.”
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The current project covers over 173 square miles and can connect over 400 residential and business customers to Fast Fiber Internet, providing symmetrical Gigabit speeds and home phone services to Colbert County. 1 Gig internet connections give the best online experience for streamers, gamers, social media users, and families with multiple users at home. Installations are underway, go to www.TEC.com/SignUp to complete a quick form.