EPB Broadband helps develop future-ready broadband networks

Chattanooga-based communications company EPB Broadband Solutions has hosted 15 community-based service providers from across the US at a summit to help foster innovative approaches to broadband deployment.

The first EPB Broadband Solutions Summit was launched to share expertise at a time when many states are focused on securing Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (Bead) funding to expand high-speed internet access.

Technical support services

Through its agreement with EPB Broadband Solutions, Buzz Broadband, powered by Covington Electric Cooperative in Alabama, has used EPB technical support services to address customer issues since 2021.

“EPB applies [its] experience to make it easier for our company and our customers to get answers quickly,” said Andy Willis, director of telecom services, Buzz Broadband, which attended the summit. “Broadband can be complicated, and it’s important to seek people who’ve already been through the transition.

Willis continued: “It isn’t always easy, but working with the right partners makes things run more smoothly, like our experience with EPB. We trust them to operate high quality services and stay on top of the latest trends and best practices.”

Based on its experience launching Chattanooga and Hamilton County, Tennessee’s, only 100 per cent fibre optic community-wide network in 2009, EPB launched EPB Broadband Solutions in 2012 to help other communities succeed in planning, rolling out and operating their high-speed internet services.

“Launching a community-wide fibre optic network has, no doubt, been the most impactful way we fulfil our mission to enhance quality of life in our community”

EPB Broadband Solutions claims to work with 30 out-of-market fibre optic providers with more than 160,000 subscribers and the potential to serve as many as 985,000 homes and businesses in communities nationwide.

“Launching a community-wide fibre optic network has, no doubt, been the most impactful way we fulfil our mission to enhance quality of life in our community,” said Katie Espeseth, vice president of new products, EPB. “It can be a complex and sometimes challenging process, so we want to help other providers succeed so their customers can experience the benefits of having access to high-speed internet.”