A bill passed by the legislature earlier this year paved the way for the expansion of rural broadband access in Lauderdale and Kemper counties.
East Mississippi Connect has reached an agreement to lease ‘dark fiber’ along Mississippi Power’s transmission lines that run through Kemper and Lauderdale counties to improve rural internet access.
Signed into law by Governor Tate Reeves, SB 2798 allows Mississippi Power to lease its fiber to a third-party internet provider. This agreement represents the first of its kind following the bill’s passage.
“We appreciate the leadership of Gov. Reeves, Lt. Gov. Delbert Hoseman, Speaker Phillip Gunn and the Mississippi Public Service Commission. The efforts of House Public Utilities Chairman Scott Bounds and Senate Energy Committee Chairman Joel Carter to pass this legislation should also be commended,” Mississippi Power President and CEO Anthony Wilson said. “Partnering with East Mississippi Connect means more Mississippians will have access to better, faster internet service. This is a true win-win.”
Established in 2020, East Mississippi Connect is a subsidiary of East Mississippi Electric Power Association.
“We are excited to be partnering with Mississippi Power to expand our opportunity of reaching an even greater number of rural communities with access to high-speed fiber internet,” East Mississippi Electric Power Association Chief Executive Officer Randy Carroll said.
