United Communications and Middle Tennessee Electric announced completion of a fiber ring to support the Town of Smyrna's internal telecommunication needs. The project was announced in September 2019.

The new fiber network built by United and MTEMC brings the first and only locally-owned telecommunications network to Smyrna and the surrounding areas of Rutherford County.

"This partnership benefits the residents of Smyrna by providing a competitive and local option for our communication needs," said Mary Esther Reed, Town of Smyrna Mayor. "It is also beneficial to have a local company supporting our community and ensuring our communications services run smoothly."

While the Town of Smyrna will have access to a portion of the fiber network to support its own telecom infrastructure, United has already begun offering residential and business broadband services along the route.

"This is a great example on how this investment by the Town of Smyrna has led to a much bigger investment that benefits the community. United plans to continue aggressively expanding its network in the Smyrna area," William Bradford, president and CEO of United Communications, said at the completion celebration. Bradford was joined by Chris Jones, president and CEO of Middle Tennessee Electric, and Reed.

Bradford when on to say United and MTEMC knew access to reliable broadband was important and the leaders of Smyrna should be proud that this project resulted in bringing a new fiber-optic network to the community.

“We're proud this work by United builds on our 84-year tradition of service excellence for the Town of Smyrna,” said Chris Jones, Middle Tennessee Electric CEO. “The Town of Smyrna can rightly boast of world-class electric service, air transportation and logistics options, cost of living and quality of life. Now you can add world-class broadband services to that list. The sky is the limit for the Town of Smyrna.”