Cleveland Utilities and residents alike support EPB broadband expansion

EPB Chief Executive Harold DePriest led the $220 million effort to build a fiber optic network in Chattanooga.
EPB Chief Executive Harold DePriest led the $220 million effort to build a fiber optic network in Chattanooga.
photo EPB Chief Executive Harold DePriest led the $220 million effort to build a fiber optic network in Chattanooga.

CLEVELAND, Tenn. -- Despite warnings of potential snow and ice, more than 100 broadband-hungry people packed the Bradley County Courthouse on Thursday to learn if, when and how communications provider EPB will serve them.

It comes down to the details of a recent Federal Communications Commission ruling allowing EPB and other communication providers to extend services beyond their stated areas, said Harold DePriest, president and CEO of EPB.

Equally important is the success of proposed state legislation that would support such expansions, he said, urging the audience to contact their elected officials.

"You can help by writing your representatives and telling them your story of why you need broadband," said DePriest, fielding numerous questions from the crowd.

Resident Joy Brown said she has cellular service but no broadband where she lives, and her situation was echoed by many speaking during the meeting.

Dan Howell, R-Georgetown, told the audience he fully supports such a measure, equating the availability of broadband service today with creating an electric power structure in the 1920s.

"I think it is a fair comparison to where we are with broadband," said Howell. "It's something new. It lets us experience life at a whole different level."

If allowed to expand beyond its current service area, EPB has a plan in place that would first see expansion into a "digital desert" located in southeast Bradley County, said EPB officials.

About 1,000 homes are located in the expansion area, said DePriest. Of those, 800 only have dial-up service, he said.

The proposed expansion would incorporate areas such as Red Clay and corridors along Blue Springs and Tunnel Hill roads, according to maps presented at the meeting.

However, that is just the beginning, said DePriest.

"EPB would like to serve all its neighbors," he said, indicating that the communications provider would ultimately like to serve the entire county.

The initial expansion is projected to cost about $1 million and can be launched from a communication hub located in Apison, said DePriest.

Taking on all of Bradley County, which will require new infrastructure, is projected to cost in the neighborhood of $50 million, he said.

"I just want to tell everybody that we completely support this," said Ken Webb, president and CEO of Cleveland Utilities. "This is the most exciting thing that I know that has come about in broadband in Cleveland and Bradley County in years."

DePriest said it would seek power line usage partnerships with Cleveland Utilities and Volunteer Energy Cooperative.

If state legislation regarding broadband service expansion passes, it could be as soon as four months before EPB begins hooking up home in southeast Bradley County, said DePriest.

Howell said he expects the legislation to be considered prior to the Tennessee Assembly's April recess.

Paul Leach is based in Cleveland. Email him at paul.leach.press@gmail.com.

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