Fiber Timeline

AEC continues to build out fiber for the electric system with plans to install over 400 miles of fiber over the next 2 to 3 years. AEC fiber is designed to support the electric system; however, it also has excess capacity for other uses (such as broadband).

The AEC Board of Directors approved moving forward with a Request for Information (RFI) for a partnership model to deploy broadband to all AEC members. Results from the RFI showed that we had 4 very capable vendors that were interested in a broadband partnership.

AEC initiated a working relationship with Vantage Point, a broadband consultant who prepared formal reviews of the RFI responses, and developed a framework overview of what the Request For Proposal (RFP) for a broadband partnership might look like.

AEC released the RFP. Submitted proposals were sent to the AEC Board for review at their May meeting. A very important component of the RFP is how the deployment will work. Many of our members will want to know where we go first. Currently, we are reviewing a model called “Crowd Fiber™” for deployment. This process puts the responsibility of determining where we build fiber first, on our members. This model would divide our service area into “zones” which will require a predetermined number of committed members to sign up for service before we build. This process creates a much more stable financial model than to just build fiber and hope that members sign up for services.

AEC Board held a special meeting with our consultant Vantage point. The Board reviewed proposals and looked at both a partnership model and a Do-it-yourself (DYI) option. Additional information was requested for due diligence. The AEC Board approved moving forward with a Marketing Feasibility Study, to be conducted by telephone, over the month of July. This action will be led by the third party firm CRONIN.

An expected called meeting of the AEC Board of Directors is scheduled for August 2018. The Board will review all data related to the broadband options and render a decision on plans to move forward.

The broadband progress was significant over the past month. The management team and key staff of AEC spent 2 days in discussions and presentations concerning options available to the Co-op.

The AEC Board of Directors spent additional time in discernment at a special board meeting on August 24th. The broadband issue is a huge decision for AEC, but one our board is committed to embrace. The board has identified 2 good options for moving forward. They will now take a deeper dive into the financial models of each option. In either option, AEC will build and own the fiber infrastructure.

The co-op continues to install fiber optic cable and estimates they will have approximately 150 miles of fiber installed by the end of 2018. AEC's goal is to create a strong fiber backbone by getting fiber to all of its substations, as they will serve as the hub for any broadband deployment. Currently, AEC has fiber installed at all of its substations with the exception of Rutledge, Oak Grove, Copper Ridge and Bean Station. These remaining substations will be the priority moving forward.

AEC continues efforts to secure grant opportunities from state and national resources. AEC General Manager, Greg Williams will address the membership concerning broadband and many other issues at the 2018 Annual Meeting, to be held at the Walter State Great Smoky Mountain Expo Center on Saturday, September 29, 2018. For more information about the Annual Meeting, please contact our Member Service Department at ext. 1880.

AEC Executive Vice-President and General Manager Greg Williams, addressed the membership of the Co-op during the Annual Meeting with the following statement: "I can state that AEC will be embarking upon a definitive plan to bring broadband access to our service area." AEC Board of Directors continue to work diligently to hammer out the details for the specific model that the Co-op will pursue. The goal is to keep pricing and services very competitive and to offer broadband access to every AEC member.

AEC Board of Directors approve a working relationship with a broadband partner and engage in identifying and procuring engineering resources for the ability to launch broadband services. AEC was awarded a 1.7 million grant from the State of TN for use in providing opportunities to underserved / unserved areas of rural TN. The AEC grant is designed for portions of the New Market and Piedmont sections of our service area, including approximately 35 homes in the Mitchell’s Bend area of Grainger County. These funds will address needs to approximately 1,800 Co-op members. Click here to see if your property is located in the grant location.

AEC names Electrical Engineer Blake McNew as new Director of Fiber Services, effective April 8, 2019. As Director, McNew will oversee all aspects of fiber installation, in support of broadband deployment.

The Cooperative has announced that Brad Peels has assumed the position of Outside Plant Supervisor in the AEC Fiber Services department. Peels begins work this month. AEC has selected a contractor for fiber engineering services named, Vantage Point. Members may see these field contractors working in the service area during the coming months. Vantage Point contractors will have vehicles that are clearly labeled as contractor for AEC. AEC currently owns and maintains over 155 miles of installed fiber optic cable throughout our service area.