Bay Springs, Miss (March 7, 2021) --- TEC, a leading provider of fiber internet to rural communities in the Southeast, has been awarded a grant to expand broadband infrastructure in Smith County, Mississippi. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration agency within the Department of Commerce announced in February. This allotment will fund a major improvement in Smith County's broadband capability and is planned to begin in April of 2022.
“I’m grateful for TEC’s commitment to providing quality broadband services in our state and look forward to the build-out out of these critical services in Smith County," says 3rd District Representative Michael Guest. “I am pleased that the NTIA has awarded these funds to support broadband projects that will benefit Mississippians.”
Once this project is completed, TEC's Fast Fiber Internet will be available to residents of this community for the very first time. This high-speed broadband will reliably connect them to technology that is vital in today's world, such as telemedicine, distance learning, and the option of working from home. Additionally, customers can enjoy video streaming and gaming entertainment that is only possible with high-speed internet.
Joey Garner, President and CEO of TEC says, “We are honored to receive this award from the NTIA Broadband Infrastructure Program. This grant assists TEC in our commitment to improving the communities we serve, bringing increased fiber internet options to more of rural Mississippi. We look forward to offering speeds up to 1 Gig of internet. We are excited to begin construction and get more people connected."
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The current project will construct approximately 126 miles of fiber and can connect over 1,000 residential and business customers to Fast Fiber Internet, providing symmetrical Gigabit speeds, home security, and phone services to the Smith County communities. 1 Gig internet connections give the best online experience for streamers, gamers, social media users, and families with multiple users at home.