Most people like their internet fast.
The Tennessee Telecom-munications Association is working to ensure broadband internet access is available to rural areas throughout the state with Ben Lomand Connect doing its part here in Warren County.
Former Ben Lomand CEO Levoy Knowles is executive director of the Tennessee Telecom-munications Association, which is committed to the spread of faster internet service.
“We want every constituent in Tennessee to get a reasonable speed of broadband in the near future,” said Knowles, who does lobbying on Capitol Hill. “There are 84 to 86 percent of rural areas in Tennessee that have broadband access and we’re very fortunate to have Ben Lomand. Every consumer should have reasonable broadband speed available.”
TTA represents 30 percent of the land mass in the state. The organization is composed of 21 companies that serve 250,000 people across Tennessee.
These 21 companies are making substantial investments to spread their broadband offerings to more customers. They are averaging $100 million a year in capital upgrades each year over the past five years, according to Knowles.
The FCC defines broadband as at least 10 megs down and 1 meg up. Some areas in Warren County have the capability of offering 1 gig, which is 1,000 megs. So far those areas are Westwood and the Civic Center.
“Right now, 10 megs down, 1 meg up is enough to satisfy most needs,” said Knowles.
However, technology continually expands and 1 gig may be needed per household in the future. Knowles points to more homes becoming “smart homes.” He says even some refrigerators are getting IP addresses to alert the homeowner when there’s no more milk.
Knowles stays on top of legislation in the Tennessee General Assembly and says it’s vital to maintain a level playing field when it comes to broadband offerings for urban and rural areas.