Tennessee Broadband Network Gets $53.5 Million in State Funding

A group of Tennessee broadband providers has launched projects that received $53.5 million in state broadband funding. The group, known as Project UNITE, is spearheaded by local provider United Communications. The projects will make high-speed broadband — fiber or wireless — available to more than 14,000 underserved locations in Middle Tennessee. The other providers involved in Project UNITE include Middle Tennessee Electric and Duck River Electric. The $53.4 million state grant is being supplemented by a $14 million investment from United Communications and more than $10 million committed by county governments for a total infrastructure investment of over $77 million. The grants fit in with United Communications plans to expand its existing network of over 1,700 route miles of fiber backbone to supply high-speed internet, the latest Wi-Fi technology, digital TV, and phone service to residential customers and businesses across Middle Tennessee.