STEMC, Aeneas completes broadband expansion project

STEMC and Aeneas Internet and Telephone Completes Broadband Expansion Project 

JACKSON, TN, July 25, 2024 – Aeneas Internet and Telephone is proud to announce the completion of its fiber broadband expansion project with Southwest Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation (STEMC) a year ahead of schedule. 

The 110 million dollar project, which the state of Tennessee contributed over 35 million dollars to, began in December of 2019. “The State of Tennessee applauds Aeneas and STEMC’s completion of its fiber broadband expansion project. STEMC and Aeneas have been incredible partners to the state as we have worked to close the digital divide in Rural West Tennessee. We are excited to see how this project continues to drive economic development and access to critical services for our West Tennessee communities,” says Taylre M. Beaty, State Broadband Director. The expansion of high-speed fiber internet now services approximately 45,000 members. 

The partnership allowed Aeneas and STEMC to provide much needed fast and reliable internet to rural areas. “With the completion of this project, we have brought vital broadband service to our rural communities, ensuring that everyone in the Southwest Electric Membership has access to high-speed fiber connectivity. The need for reliable

high-speed internet has never been greater, and this achievement underscores our commitment to the communities we serve. Our partnership with Southwest Tennessee Electric has been crucial in making this vision a reality. Together, we’ve brought essential services to all the members we serve, empowering communities and connecting lives,” said Stephen Thorpe, CEO of Aeneas Internet and Telephone. 

President of Southwest Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation, Kevin Murphy echoed the sentiment by saying, “We’ve always been committed to enhancing the lives of our members, and this broadband project is a natural extension of that mission. Reliable high-speed internet is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. This project will significantly impact our members’ lives, from enabling better access to education and healthcare to supporting small businesses and creating new economic opportunities. Partnering with Aeneas Internet and Telephone, we’ve brought a vital service to our rural communities, ensuring they stay connected and thrive in today’s digital world.” 

About Aeneas Internet and Telephone 

Founded in 1995, Aeneas Internet and Telephone offers a myriad of services including gigabit fiber broadband, local phone service, VoIP, office phone systems, corporate email, network security, off-site file storage, data center services, managed networking and more. Aeneas also partners with electric companies to provide broadband internet to rural areas. For more information on Aeneas visit: https://aeneas.com/. 

About Southwest Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation 

Based in Brownsville, Tennessee, Southwest Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative distributing power to 50,000 meters in parts of 11 West Tennessee counties. The cooperative powers nearly 50 communities of various sizes and maintains more than 4,000 miles of electric distribution lines. With offices in Haywood, Tipton, Madison, and Chester counties; STEMC has been community focused for almost 85 years.

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