Bay Springs, Mississippi (May 25, 2023) – TEC, a leading rural broadband provider, has broken ground on a project in Scott County. This undertaking will extend Gigabit-speed internet coverage by an estimated 46 miles, providing connectivity to more than 550 residential and business customers. TEC was one of 386 competing companies in the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) auction held in November of 2020, 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 portions of Copiah, Covington, Jasper, Lawrence, Lincoln, Newton, Rankin, Scott, Simpson, and Smith counties. Once all phases are complete, this project will bring Fast Fiber Internet to more than 23,000 residential and business customers in rural Mississippi. This widespread access to high-speed broadband will accelerate economic growth in these communities, making conveniences such as remote education and telemedicine faster and more reliable.
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.
"All of us at TEC know that today's vital online services depend upon access to a dependable high-speed connection," said Joey Garner, CEO. "We are so pleased to expand Fast Fiber Internet to residents and business owners in Scott County."
ABOUT THE PROJECT
This undertaking will cover an estimated 46 miles and will connect more than 550 residential and business customers to Fast Fiber Internet, providing symmetrical Gigabit speeds and home phone services to an expanded 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, visit 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 under the handle, @TECconnects.