Network upgrades underway in Tennessee

Network upgrades to help more than 3,600 locations

MADISON, Wis. (June 15, 2017) – Construction is under way to expand and improve broadband to more than 3,600 locations in eastern Tennessee. TDS Telecom (TDS®) began work in March in the Tellico Telephone Company coverage area. Construction is expected to be complete in 2018.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) allocated an average of $7.1 million each year to reach residents in some of the hardest to serve areas in Tennessee. The funding will also be used to maintain a voice and broadband network as well as building out to these locations. The FCC’s Alternative Connect America Cost Model (A-CAM) will provide funding to more than 3,600 locations in eastern Tennessee with hundreds of additional customers receiving faster service from the network upgrade work.

Tennessee 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 guaranteed 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.

“We are proud to be part of this massive modernization project with the FCC,” said Bruce Mottern, manager – State Government Affairs at TDS. “We are eager to begin work to build faster connections to more than 16,000 locations in Tennessee over the next 10 years.” 

In January, TDS announced it elected to receive approximately $75.1 million a year to increase broadband access in 25 states from the FCC’s A-CAM, under the Connect America Fund (CAF) program. TDS will leverage the funds over the next 10 years to support the buildout of rural broadband networks to nearly 160,000 locations across the country.

TDS has been doing business in Tennessee since 1975 and owns four telephone companies in the state covering approximately 2,500 square miles. TDS employs about 200 people in Tennessee.

Media Contact: Cheryl McCollum | Associate Manager of Public Relations | TDS Telecom | 608-664-2388 | cheryl.mccollum@tdstelecom.com

TDS Telecommunications LLC (TDS Telecom/TDS®) delivers high-speed internet, TV entertainment, and phone services to a mix of small to mid-sized urban, suburban and rural communities throughout the U.S. With 1.1 million connections, TDS’ mission is to create a better world through its communications services. Powered by fiber-optics and new industry-leading technologies, TDS delivers up to 8 Gigabit internet speeds and offers internet-protocol based TV entertainment solutions along with traditional phone services. TDS also offers businesses VoIP advanced communications solutions, dedicated internet service, and data networking services. Visit tdstelecom.com.

TDS Telecom, headquartered in Madison, Wis., employs 3,400 people and is a subsidiary of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. [NYSE: TDS]. Founded in 1969, Telephone and Data Systems provides wireless, broadband, video and voice services to approximately 6 million connections nationwide through its businesses: UScellular and TDS Telecom. Visit tdsinc.com.

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