Tennessee Creates Non-Profit To Improve High Speed Internet

Tennessee currently ranks 37th in high speed internet usage, due to limited availability leading to only one fourth of households subscribing to high speed service.

Recently Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen announced the creation of a new non-profit organization tasked with improving high speed internet access for the residents of Tennessee. His announcement comes on the heals of a task force which earlier this year released a study which recommended the best way to improve high speed internet access in Tennessee was through public-private partnerships. Connect Tennessee is modeled after the similarly named and successful Connect Kentucky initiative which has worked to improve internet access in that state. Connect Tennessee hopes to take lessons learned in Kentucky to develop and maintain a statewide plan to expand high speed internet availability and encourage use in underserved areas.

Tennesseans recognize that the need for fast, reliable and universally available internet service is important for their state. The earlier report, prepared by the task force comprised of lawmakers, government officials and industry representatives, had concluded that “broadband service is essential to the future of Tennessee's economy, the health of our citizens, and the education of our children”. With Connect Tennessee they have taken an important step towards making high speed internet service universally available to the people on Tennessee.

Bredesen reveals high-speed Internet plan