United Communications, Middle Tennessee's leading provider of fiber and fixed wireless internet services, and Middle Tennessee Electric, the state's largest electric cooperative, announced Wednesday, Oct. 21 that they have partnered to build a dark fiber ring to support the City of La Vergne's internal telecommunication needs.

"Not only will this new network bring the city of La Vergne access to the latest technologies and systems that only a fiber network can support, but it will bring broadband choice and economic development to the area," said William Bradford, CEO of United Communications. "We appreciate our relationships and being a trusted partner to our counties and municipalities, and look forward to continuing our substantial investment in Rutherford County and La Vergne."

United will construct and maintain a new, dedicated fiber network for all La Vergne city-owned facilities.

United will make this network available to other businesses in the area, bringing a local option for internet and communications services to the community for the first time ever. The City of La Vergne will own and maintain all equipment attached to the dark fiber ring and United Communications will own the fiber.

The announcement was made by William Bradford, president and CEO of United Communications, Chris Jones, president and CEO of Middle Tennessee Electric, in conjunction with Jason Cole, City of La Vergne Mayor, at La Vergne City Hall.

"Having a trusted, local provider of telecommunications will give The City of La Vergne peace of mind that it has a local contact to ensure connectivity and reliability needed to run their town's communications soundly," said William Bradford, president and CEO of United Communications. "Ultimately, this will allow the City of La Vergne to better serve the community and furthers our commitment to expanding services in the region."

"We're a long-standing community partner with The City of La Vergne and are confident that United Communications will offer that same level of community partnership," said Chris Jones, president and CEO of Middle Tennessee Electric. "We're proud that the trust and awareness that Middle Tennessee Electric has brought to partnering with United enhanced the decision to buy services from "This is just another step forward for the city of La Vergne," said Jason Cole, City of LaVergne Mayor. "United Communications brings its service to our businesses and residents adding competition and its exceptional service to our area.

About United Communications

United Communications is a leading, local provider of fiber and wireless internet along with digital TV and hosted and wireline phone service, with a mission to serve every residential and business customer with the most reliable network and caring, local customer service. United leads in customer satisfaction and has been ranked for consecutive years as one of the fastest and most reliable networks in the nation. United Communications network includes approximately 1,000 route miles of fiber connecting in Nashville, Murfreesboro, La Vergne and Smyrna and covering portions of Williamson, Davidson, Marshall, Bedford, Franklin and Rutherford counties. To learn more, please visit www.united.net.

About Middle Tennessee Electric

Founded in 1936, Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation is the largest electric co-op in the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) region and the second largest in the United States, serving more than 600,000 Tennesseans via 308,000+ accounts covering nearly 2,200 square miles in 11 Middle Tennessee counties, primarily Rutherford, Cannon, Williamson and Wilson. Municipalities served include Murfreesboro, Franklin, Brentwood, Smyrna, La Vergne, Lebanon and Mt. Juliet. MTE employs 510 people in 7 local offices and its Murfreesboro corporate headquarters. For more information, please visit www.mtemc.com.