Brightspeed Nears Completion of Tennessee Fiber Network Build

Brightspeed announced that its fiber network build in Tennessee is 90% complete, with nearly 180,000 households and businesses now able to access its internet service.

The company reports that construction is fully complete in Butler, Elizabethton, Erwin, Greenville, Hampton, Midway, Mosheim, Mountain City, New Tazewell, Ooltewah, Roan Mountain, Stoney Creek, and Sullivan Gardens. Deployment is also complete in Unicoi County, where approximately 6,800 locations have been enabled for fiber service.

"The completion of Brightspeed's fiber network represents significant advancement for Unicoi County," said Amanda Delp, Unicoi County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director.

Delp continues, "Expanded access to reliable, high-speed connectivity strengthens our ability to support economic growth, empower small business and create new opportunities for our residents."

Community Outreach Efforts

With construction finished in several areas, Brightspeed has shifted focus to customer outreach. Representatives are going door to door in Butler, Churchill, Elizabethton, Erwin, Johnson City, Kingsport, Mountain City, New Tazewell, Ooltewah, Piney Flats, and Roan Mountain to provide information about fiber service availability. Residents can expect representatives to:

• Wear company-branded apparel and be trained to discuss services.
• Share details about fiber internet plans, options, and features.
• Provide information intended to increase awareness of internet access in areas with limited prior options.

Tshacha Romeo, Brightspeed’s director of sales channel, said the expansion is intended to improve connectivity for residents and businesses, supporting activities such as work, education, and communication.

"As more Tennessee neighborhoods come online, families and small businesses gain the speed and reliability they need to work, learn, connect and grow," said Tshacha Romeo, Director of Sales Channel at Brightspeed.

Funding and Expansion Plans

Brightspeed’s Tennessee expansion includes both private investment and public funding. The company has been awarded more than $14 million through the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program to help extend its network to an additional 2,757 locations in the state.

In addition, nearly $7 million in funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) has been allocated to expand access to approximately 2,812 more residents.

Upon completion of the project, Brightspeed expects its fiber internet service to reach more than 200,000 homes and businesses across Tennessee.

Source: Brightspeed

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