Tenn. Makes Great Connection with Broadband Work
Published Apr 08, 2006
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Tennessee. The future. What will bridge the gap?
The answer is simple: broadband. Or – for those in need of a slightly longer answer – high-speed network connectivity.
In today’s business environment, every second counts in communicating information quickly from one place to another. If communities are to remain competitive in the 21st century, faster connectivity – whether through cable modem, digital subscriber lines (DSL), wireless (Wi-Fi and cellular), fiber optic or satellite services – will be critically important in transmitting data, voice, video, music and other data quickly.
And today’s broadband services provide more than high-speed Internet access.
“The economy has changed. It is global, and it is digital.
In this technology-driven, information-centric economy, broadband communications infrastructure is essential for future prosperity,” says Eric Cromwell, director of technology development for the state Department of Economic and Community Development.
“Like other states across the country, Tennessee has taken steps to expand its infrastructure definitions. Recently, the state introduced the Tennessee Broadband Stimulus Program, which represents the next step in the effort to develop technology infrastructure throughout Tennessee. The program empowers local representatives to take a leadership role in their communities to stimulate education and awareness regarding the necessity and benefit of broadband deployment.
The state also is engaged in discussions with private enterprise, higher education, utilities and other governmental entities to establish a statewide broadband network offering faster connections and cheaper rates.
Some communities, like Jackson in West Tennessee, have already begun to successfully move in that direction. In 2005, the Jackson Energy Authority – JEA – was named the “Best Utility Fiber-to-the-Home Network in the United States” during the annual Broadband Properties Summit held in Dallas, Texas.
In addition to being the first “triple-play” network in Tennessee, and the largest in the nation, JEA was one of the first cable television operators in the country to offer an all-digital simulcast of its programming, transmitting its entire channel line-up in a digital format.
“We really took the lead on pulling fiber optics together to create a strong broadband network,” says Kim Kersey, JEA senior vice president of telecommunications. “Our customers were pushing us to do this, because they wanted enhanced communication capabilities through video and Internet services. What this award reflects is our ability to design and build this type of network with a high penetration rate in a small amount of time.”
JEA is a public utility offering electricity, natural and propane gas, water, wastewater and telecommunications services to more than 31,000 homes and businesses in the Jackson and West Tennessee area. The utility began construction on a $54 million, 650-mile fiber-to-the-home broadband project in 2004, allowing the utility to expand its customer base to more than 12,000 cable television customers, 4,700 Internet customers and 4,200 telephone customers.
Businesses are also benefiting from Jackson’s high-tech expertise. For example, Kirkland’s Inc., a leading specialty retailer operating 310 home decorating stores in 37 states, worked with JEA to connect the company’s corporate office in Jackson with one of its new distribution locations to better coordinate communication efforts.
The utility has also been working with the Jackson-Madison County School System installing 100-megabyte circuits within the system to help speed up communications capabilities.
Story by Jessica L. Johnson
Photo by Greg Emens
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