Tennessee Nears Universal Broadband Access with Major Investment

Tennessee officials say the state is on track to achieve universal broadband access by 2028, reducing the share of homes and businesses without internet service from about 20 percent in 2019 to less than 2 percent today.

The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development recently announced more than $200 million in funding to expand service to unserved and underserved communities, with roughly 43,000 residents still lacking broadband access.

State leaders say reliable internet is now essential for education, healthcare, workforce development, agriculture, banking, and business growth. In addition to expanding infrastructure, Tennessee is partnering with local organizations to help residents build digital skills and access online services.