Network equipment arrives in Nelson, Big Canoe, Ga.

TDS Telecom (TDS^®) technicians and network engineers are working now to install the core equipment necessary to improve broadband speeds and bring new services to Nelson and Big Canoe and in portions of Pickens, Dawson and Cherokee counties.

TDS anticipates engineering and construction work to be completed by mid-December. TDS is working to have equipment installs completed by the end of February.  Once all the equipment is installed, TDS will begin migrating customers to the new equipment.  Once complete, the broadband improvement project will impact thousands of locations in the area.  (map attached)

“Work is moving forward and customers should start seeing improvements in their internet service in spring,” said Tom McCabe, manager State Government Affairs at TDS. “Phase II is then expected to be complete by fall of 2018.”

This past spring, TDS began engineering and design work to improve their network in the area. Customers will see improved speeds during the first phase of the project and then even greater speeds and new products when Phase II of the project is fully complete.

Background:
In January, TDS accepted funding from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to reach residents in some of the hardest to serve areas in Georgia. The funding is being used to maintain a voice and broadband network as well as building out to 838 locations. Hundreds of additional customers near the network upgrade areas are expected to receive improved service from this network upgrade project.

Georgia residents can visit the TDS website to find out how this federal program may impact their location.

Depending on location, most TDS customers in eligible rural areas will receive broadband speeds of 25Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload (25/3). Under the agreement with the FCC, the remaining customers will receive broadband service at lower speeds of 10/1 and 4/1Mbps. 

TDS has been doing business in Georgia since 1989 and owns four telephone companies in the state. TDS employs about 50 people in Georgia.