Below is a press release from Mississippi Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley:
Northern District Public Service Commissioner Brandon Presley signed orders re-designating the Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) status of nine local electric cooperative subsidiaries for $9,123,901 in grants to be spent in 2024 from the FCC’s Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (“RDOF”) for broadband expansion. Totally, the nine providers received $91,380,620 from RDOF, which will be disbursed over ten years.
“One of my top priorities as Public Service Commissioner is ensuring every rural Mississippian has access to affordable, reliable, fiber-to-the-home broadband service. Whether it be for telework, telemedicine, or online education, internet accessibility is indispensable in our 21st Century economy and way of life. I am proud to join forces with these electric cooperatives in working to meet the needs of all Mississippians. Every dollar of these funds will make a difference in communities across our state. I will not stop until every home on every rural, backroad in Mississippi is connected,” said Commissioner Brandon Presley.
Commissioner Presley re-certified the following electric cooperative subsidiaries:
- ACE Fiber by Alcorn County Electric: $550,590.48
- M-Pulse Fiber by Monroe County Electric: $819,100.80
- NT Spark by Natchez Trace Electric: $1,031,059.20
- NE SPARC by North East Mississippi Electric: $1,265,233.80
- Prentiss Connect by Prentiss County Electric: $680,315.04
- TVI Fiber by Tallahatchie Valley Electric: $2,017,380.80
- TEPA Connect by Tippah Electric: $676,635
- Tombigbee Fiber by Tombigbee Electric: $985,510.20
- Tishomingo Connect by Tishomingo County Electric: $1,098,076.20
Residents who would like to sign up for service or inquire about service availability at their address can contact Commissioner Presley’s office at 1 (800) 637-7722.
