Past and present at Ben Lomand Connect

Building for the future

When looking to the future at Ben Lomand Connect, it’s important to also consider the past and present, says Greg Smartt, general manager and CEO at the cooperative.

Ben Lomand has come a long way since it provided that first telephone service in 1954, when the community banded together to organize the rural cooperative. Members can get a closer look at telephones of the past and a display of the most current technology, on March 23 at the annual meeting. The theme for this year’s gathering is Past, President and Future.

“For Ben Lomand Connect, the future is automation,” Smartt says. “The technology we have today is life-changing, and it’s our job to educate our customers.”

Evolving technology

The Ben Lomand vision started with providing reliable telephone service to the rural region. It evolved into one of the most progressive fiber broadband providers in the country.

In 2021, Ben Lomand began offering 300 Mbps speeds and quickly expanded to 1 Gig. Now, the cooperative is prepared to launch Multi-Gig service. “We don’t see a stopping point to the possibilities,” Smartt says.

A fiber network not only provides the most reliable, blazing-fast internet service available, the technology makes synchronous speeds possible, meaning the download and upload speeds are the same. Fiber technology is the only choice for synchronous speeds. That’s just not possible with less robust broadband service, and Ben Lomand’s competitors often hide that fact in their fine print.

“Our state-of-the-art fiber network offers a Gig/Gig connection,” says Bryan Kell, marketing and public relations manager. “This future-proof technology is the superior choice for the ultimate broadband experience, and we can offer one speed and one price without the phone line.”

Keeping up with connectivity

The latest statistics show the average home has 22 devices connected to the internet, says Chad Dees, director of operations. Ben Lomand continues to expand its fiber network to accommodate the increasing demand for connectivity.

About 92% of Ben Lomand Connect’s original service territory has access to fiber, and Warren and Grundy counties are at 100%. A Rural Utilities Service loan will help with costs to complete access in White County, with a goal to be 100% complete by 2026.  “We’re doing 99% of this work for our members in-house,” Smartt says.

As fiber construction continues in the cooperative’s original service area, Ben Lomand is expanding into other areas where it competes with other providers. Ben Lomand recently leased a part of the Duck River Electric Membership Corporation fiber network, using an unused section of its 330-mile fiber optic loop in the Shelbyville area, southwest of Ben Lomand’s headquarters. By working together, the cooperatives can ensure both their members have access to state-of-the-art services at an affordable price. “It’s a partnership,” Smartt says. “By working together, we can all have even bigger successes.”

The experience and knowledge Ben Lomand gained since it began offering fiber-to-the-home service in 2012 will help the fiber network grow even faster. “This is our specialty,” Smartt says. “We wear it on our sleeves and take pride in the job we do.”

Initially, the expense of transitioning from copper lines to fiber limited how quickly the fiber network could expand. Now, it’s just the opposite, says Jared Sain, chief financial officer. “We can’t buy copper as easily now,” he says. “Fiber is much more affordable that it used to be.”

Ben Lomand Connect now has a total of 5,550 miles of fiber. The service area measures about 1,795 square miles, translating to about 4,000 linear miles. The network outside the original service area covers about 1,195 linear miles, and the Duck River fiber includes about 360 linear miles. As expansion continues, the focus is on unserved areas. It’s a goal to bury as much of the fiber as possible, but in some areas it’s just not possible because of the mountainous terrain.

Smartt says a recent conversation with a new customer confirms what he has long believed about Ben Lomand’s service — fiber means a bright future. A California couple moved to Tennessee, and the man was able to continue working remotely for the company he has been with for many years. The fiber network, especially the synchronous speeds, attracted the couple to Warren County.

“It’s been a challenge to keep up because the areas we serve are growing rapidly,” Smartt says. “Fiber is one of the reasons this area is growing so much. It feels good when you’re offering a vital service. It takes a team, and we have great employees that make this team possible. We’re ready for the future.”

Published with consent from Ben Lomand Connect.