The Sango neighborhoods east of Clarksville will have access to Gig-speed Internet by the end of 2023 with the continued rollout of CEMC’s fiber-optic network, announced this week.

Cumberland Connect, the broadband subsidiary of CEMC, has announced the areas included in its fourth phase of fiber construction, and the homes and businesses in these areas will be available to sign-up for broadband service beginning in 2023.

The Sango area will soon have access to the Cumberland Connect fiber optic network. Green areas have fiber service availability. Purple areas are Phase 4 (2022-2023). Blue areas are Phase 3/Area Under Construction. (CEMC, contributed)

This is the final step in providing access to Gig-speed fiber internet – plus phone and streaming video services – to every home and business served electrically by CEMC in Montgomery County.

Halfway finished

Cumberland Connect has reached the halfway point in constructing its fiber-optic network.

“While Phase 3 construction is still ongoing at a strong pace, Phase 4 preparations have already begun,” said Mark T. Cook, P.E., broadband manager at Cumberland Connect.

Projected Upcoming Cumberland Connect fiber service availability, as of August 2022. (Contributed)

This fourth phase of fiber construction will include neighborhoods in eastern Montgomery County, northern Cheatham County, central and eastern Robertson County, and a portion of Sumner County.

Phase 4 construction will include an additional 20,000-plus locations in these communities, and fiber services are projected to be made available by the end of 2023. Cumberland Connect crews will construct 965-plus miles of fiber throughout this phase. “That is farther than the distance between Nashville and San Antonio, Texas!” said Kaitlyn Bonds, creative director.

Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation crews install fiber optic lines as part of the Cumberland Connect network in 2022. (Contributed)

What’s next

All remaining areas beyond Phase 4 fiber construction will be included in Phase 5, mostly in Sumner County, which have been projected to be completed by the end of 2024. Throughout the network planning, each area has been carefully evaluated and selected based on the necessary preparations, including vegetation management, that are required before fiber construction can begin.

“We know there is still a great need among many of our rural neighbors for reliable, high-speed Internet service. Our team at Cumberland Connect has been very strategic in our planning with the goal of completing our fiber network buildout in the shortest amount of time possible to reach our members,” Cook said.

To learn more about Cumberland Connect fiber services, and to register for monthly email updates on construction and fiber service availability, click Check Availability at CumberlandConnect.org.