Free At Last, TN Co-op Dives Into Broadband

Last year, the Tennessee governor and legislature freed co-ops of restrictions on delivering broadband to its members. Last month, the first co-op out of the gate announced its partnership with a local ISP to provide gigabit service to its members.

Smart grid, public safety, and consumer and business services are some of the benefits middle Tennesseans will reap from the partnership. Chris Jones, President and CEO of Middle Tennessee Electric Member Corporation, William Bradford, president and CEO of United Communications and Fire Lieutenant Fritz Haimberger of the Peytonsville Volunteer Fire Department lay out the details. 

There are several important lessons that co-ops nationwide as well as municipalities can learn from our guests. 

Craig Settles hosts Gigabit Nation. He also assists communities with the business and marketing planning of their broadband networks.