A Completely #ConnectedTN is in Sight

Some long- and short-term goal visualization came out of the “Investing in a #ConnectedTN” panel discussion at the recent Tennessee Broadband Association (TNBA) Annual Convention & Showcase.

Taylre Beaty, Broadband Program Director for the Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development, and Paige Shapiro, Technical Assistance Advisor for Tennessee at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, answered questions posed by moderator Charlie Boring, BTC Fiber CEO.

Significant portions of the state still lack connectivity, Taylre says, but progress is steady. In 2021, she said, more than 20% of Tennesseans had no internet access. Today, that population is less than 5%.

“Though it feels like there’s so much left to do, we are so close in Tennessee,” she says. “Our programs are working.”

Taylre pointed out that Federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program funding must be spent by 2028. Most construction to finish connecting the state should be done by the end of 2027. She encouraged organizations to help by looking for projects where they can apply for BEAD funds.

Both Taylre and Paige see Tennessee broadband providers as trendsetters over the next five to 10 years as we shift from #ConnectingTN to a #ConnectedTN.

Paige says providers should continue to focus on building customer bases and skilled workforces to support networks. Cybersecurity, she said, will be vital, as will consideration of increasingly severe weather and its impact on networks.

As broadband access spreads in rural areas, Tennesseans will see everyday benefits, Taylre says. She cites telehealth, laptops at home for schoolchildren, and increased crop yields for farmers as examples. “I will say this,” she says. “The best is yet to come.”