Bay Springs, Mississippi (March 8, 2023) – TEC, a leading rural broadband provider, has completed construction on another project in Scott County. This undertaking, covering an estimated 57 miles, will provide access to 850 additional customers by expanding access to Gigabit speed broadband. The completed project will increase TEC's Fast Fiber Internet reach to more than 23,000 families and businesses in rural Mississippi, making vital services such as distance education and telemedicine faster and more dependable. TEC was one of 386 competing companies in the November 2020, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) auction, which awarded $9 billion for the provision of broadband internet to unserved and underserved areas throughout the United States. TEC, with the assistance of the FCC, will fund the building and delivery of broadband access to Copiah, Covington, Jasper, Lawrence, Lincoln, Newton, Rankin, Scott, Simpson, and Smith counties.
“I congratulate TEC for the work they’ve done to provide broadband access to the people of Scott County and rural Mississippi,” said Representative Tom Miles. He continues, “As a mostly rural area, many Scott Countians have struggled to have access to important services and information available only through broadband. That burden is being lifted through TEC’s work. If we didn’t learn anything else during the pandemic, we learned the importance of connectivity. We look forward to seeing more future expansions and partnerships with TEC to connect Scott County.”
Dependable fiber internet connections offer improved quality of life through access to telemedicine, remote learning, and work-from-home opportunities. Additionally, high-speed broadband provides personal entertainment, such as gaming or video streaming. TEC’s goal is to minimize the broadband access gap by providing reliable, high-quality, affordable internet solutions to the communities it serves.
“We are thrilled to increase Fast Fiber Internet access for the residents and businesses of Scott County,” said Joey Garner, CEO of TEC. “People living and working in smaller communities should be able to take equal advantage of all the conveniences that high-speed internet provides. This project is an important part of our ongoing mission of providing rural areas with the latest communication technology.”
ABOUT THE PROJECT
This undertaking will cover an estimated 57 miles and will connect 850 customers to Fast Fiber Internet, providing symmetrical Gigabit speeds and home phone services to a portion of Scott County. Gigabit internet connections give the best online experience for streamers, gamers, social media users, and families with multiple users at home. To sign up for service, go to www.TEC.com/SignUp to complete a short form.
ABOUT TEC
TEC provides economic stability to its local service areas, employing more than 200 people across Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Louisiana. TEC has invested in and currently maintains approximately 2,000 miles of fiber in its rural markets. For a century, TEC has been a forerunner in providing telecommunications services to rural America and was the first to bring internet options to many of these markets more than 20 years ago. For more information, visit www.TEC.com or social media @TECconnects.