The "digital desert" in southern Bradley County may soon be connected to the nation's fastest Internet link if EPB is able to gain approval to extend its fiber optic network into the region.
The Chattanooga utility has scheduled a meeting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the Bradley County Courthouse with representatives from the estimated 800 homes and businesses in southern Bradley County where broadband Internet is not available.
EPB called Thursday's meeting after the Federal Communications Commission voted 3-2 last week to allow EPB to bypass stated limits and extend broadband service to neighboring communities outside EPB's power service territory.
The FCC said getting faster and better Internet links is in the public interest. But some state lawmakers want the FCC decision challenged to maintain state limits on municipal power companies expanding outside of their service territory and competing with privately owned phone and cable TV companies.
Michelle Rymer, who said she needs faster Internet speeds for her 100-acre poultry operation in southern Bradley County, said her six chicken houses are only a mile away from EPB's service territory but EPB can't extend its lines outside of the service territory without a regulatory change.
"High-speed broadband is no longer a luxury, but a necessity, and we need the service EPB can offer us," Rymer said.