United Communications is receiving national recognition for its efforts to connect every Middle Tennessee resident with internet service, winning the Cornerstone Award at the Broadband Communities Summit in Houston, Texas.
The award, presented on September 29, honors the most notable deployments of Fiber-to-the-Home in the U.S. and abroad. A committee of judges noted that one of the reasons the organization has recognized United is its role in bringing internet access to Middle Tennesseans during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As the pandemic took hold, United couldn’t let its communities fail, or fall behind, so the company found innovative ways to accelerate fiber installation throughout the area. Through its own initiative, Project UNITE, United leveraged community partnerships, federal and state funding, and its own investments to ensure its mission of connecting Middle Tennessee moved as quickly as possible.
“United’s mission hasn’t changed because of the pandemic. It’s only been expedited,” said William Bradford, CEO and President of United Communications. “Could you imagine not having internet access over the last 16 months? Thousands of Middle Tennesseans faced that reality when COVID hit, and all of us at United understood we’d have to work harder and faster than ever to ensure we carried out our mission,” Bradford said.
Project UNITE has now grown far beyond its original expectations, and that momentum has not slowed down. By the end of 2021, United will have provided high-speed connectivity to over 11,000 unserved locations in Middle Tennessee. Even Tennessee Governor, Bill Lee, has recognized United Communication’s work to provide necessary relief. The latest recognition with the Cornerstone Award serves as further proof that United’s efforts are making an impact.
“Through Project UNITE, United’s commitment indeed matches our own at Broadband Communities Magazine: We can, and will, get through this together. We’re pleased to call attention to United and honor them with this award,” said Barbara DeGarmo, CEO of Broadband Communities Magazine.
According to DeGarmo, the three winners of this year’s Cornerstone Award were all internet providers, which she calls unusual—indicating how crucial providers have been over the past year.
Since 1947, United Communications has built a reputation for quality communication services in Middle Tennessee and is one of the first companies in this region to introduce a fiber-to-the-home network. With offices in Chapel Hill and Berry Farms in Franklin, United Communications is a locally-operated company offering residential and business services, including internet, phone, and digital TV.
About United Communications
United Communications is a leading provider of internet, digital TV, and phone services to enterprise-class businesses and residential customers in Middle Tennessee. United is recognized as a top “Fastest Internet Service Provider” by BroadbandNow and operates approximately 1,200 route miles of fiber covering portions of Williamson, Rutherford, Marshall, Bedford, Franklin, and Davidson counties. United Communications is a subsidiary of Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation. To learn more, please visit united.net.
