Connecting Tennessee

Posted: October 11, 2022

Tennesse Broadband Association (TNBA) member executives attend roundtable with FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr and Senator Blackburn

roundtable discussion Nashville, Tennessee — FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr observed network operations and joined a work crew in the Rome community of Smith County, Tennessee, where DTC Communication works to bring fast fiber optic internet service to unserved rural residents, small businesses and community institutions.

During the visit, Commissioner Carr also joined the U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee, and several Tennessee Broadband Association executives representing independent and cooperatively owned telecommunications companies in a roundtable discussion about expanding broadband in the state.

roundtable discussion “It has been an honor to have Commissioner Carr in Tennessee, working with Sen. Blackburn and the TNBA to discuss our efforts to connect Tennessee and learn about the work still to do,” said Levoy Knowles, TNBA government affairs director. “We are happy to showcase the effort of our members, who are all working diligently to make sure all Tennesseans have access to fiber optic internet connections.”

Carr heard broadband leaders describe the difficulties they face from supply chain issues and rising costs of materials, and how those challenges make it more difficult to provide high speed broadband to every Tennessean.

roundtable discussion “We talked about solutions so that we can make sure we build on the success that Tennessee has seen the last couple of years,” Carr says.

“A big part of our focus is expanding broadband, closing the digital divide,” Blackburn said. “In Tennessee, we have so many solid broadband providers that have made it their focus to make certain that everyone in their service area is connected and has access to high-speed internet.”

“DTC Communications and the TNBA appreciate Commissioner Carr, the FCC, and other state and federal leaders for funding resources that have helped expand broadband availability across our region and state,” said Chris Townson, DTC Communications CEO and TNBA immediate past president. “By working together, we will be able to build a fiber powered broadband network providing the technology and services needed today and well into the future.”