Tennessee Power Co-op and ISP use new state law to add broadband

New rules in Tennessee allow utility co-ops more leeway in providing internet service to their customers. A power co-op joins forces with an existing internet-service provider to expand broadband access and lay the infrastructure for a power “smart grid.” Middle Tennessee Electric co-op and United Communications announced a partnership that guarantees fire stations – and residents – all the broadband they need.“Before United came to save us, the fire station had a 4G LTE cellular hotspot in the bay where the trucks are parked,” says Fire Lieutenant Fritz Haimberger of the Peytonsville Volunteer Fire Department. “Internet speed was great when no one was using it. But once you have four or five devices connecting to it, its usefulness was limited.”Now they have gigabit speed that will lead to significant safety and communication improvements. For more than 10 years, members of the power co-op have been asking for broadband service. It’s gone from something people want to something people need.An opportunity arose for the Middle Tennessee Power co-op when state law changed last year giving utility cooperatives more leeway in providing broadband.“When the door of opportunity opened with state law change, we evaluated our options,” says Middle Tennessee Electric President and CEO Chris Jones. “We were fortunate to have in our own backyard a company (United Communications) doing innovative things to get broadband deployed.”This is the first co-op/private company partnership in the state to offer broadband services.