Sole Lawrence County Broadband Provider to be Chosen by NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association
LORETTO, TN – The City of Loretto today announced that Loretto Telecom, a Skybest Company, was recently named a Smart Rural CommunitySM (SRC) provider by NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association. SRC is a national network of communities powered by innovative rural broadband providers that are building a brighter future for small-town America. The program promotes rural broadband and its role in supporting innovative economic development, effective education, efficient energy distribution and use, state-of-the-art health care and other important issues for rural America.
In order to receive recognition as a SRC provider, Loretto Telecom was required to affirm that it offers 25/3 Mbps broadband to at least 50% of its service area; that it has broadband subscription rates of at least 50%; and that it is committed to program principles of collaboration and innovation. As a result of Loretto Telecom’s national recognition, Loretto and the surrounding communities will now be celebrated as a Smart Rural Community in program materials and online at www.smartruralcommunity.com, joining a national network of similarly innovative communities.
Steve McMasters, City of Loretto mayor observed, “For more than a century Loretto Telecom has served our community and county with the best communication technology available at the time. We’re thankful that today’s Loretto Telecom has made the investments in technology that enable our residents to fully participate in today’s connected society. Because of access to high-speed internet, Loretto provides our residents with educational and economic opportunities on par with those in the most connected regions of America.”
David Morgan, Lawrence County Executive said, “It is imperative that we look for ways to bridge the digital divide for all Lawrence County residents. We congratulate and appreciate Loretto Telecom for their national recognition as a rural broadband leader and services provider for Lawrence County.”
Jason Shelton, Loretto Telecom General Manager added, “For all of us at Loretto Telecom, we are honored and proud to be recognized as an SRC provider. We remain committed to providing this wonderful community with the best available fiber optic internet that meets or exceeds any nationwide service.”
NTCA Chief Executive Officer Shirley Bloomfield also recognized Loretto Telecom for this achievement, noting, “We are so excited to welcome another Smart Rural Community provider into this growing network of innovative broadband providers delivering the Internet’s fastest speeds in some of the most remote and rural communities of our country. I applaud Loretto Telecom and the City of Loretto for their commitment to enabling cutting-edge technologies that drive innovation and promote economic development in their region and nationwide.”
Media Release/Kristin Burdette/Loretto Telecom
