An Update on Gibson Connect

2:46pm June 6, 2018

We’ve been especially busy at Gibson EMC and at Gibson Connect preparing to provide you with access to high-speed internet service. This is something that we are committed to doing because access is vitally important to our members and to our communities.

It was just last July that our board voted to form Gibson Connect, Gibson EMC’s not-for-profit subsidiary.  In October we launched join.gibsonconnect.com, a place where members register and, based on meeting their zones’ participation requirements, guide the order of our fiber construction process.

In 2017 we applied for three Tennessee Broadband Grants and in January of this year we were notified that we had been approved for one that will help us serve Lake County and the far northwestern part of Obion County.

By February, three of our zones had met their participation goals and our board approved moving forward with the first phase of Gibson Connect’s construction project.  During Phase 1 we will build fiber to the three zones that first met their participation goals (Medina, Dyer and Three Way) and the zones covered by the grant (Tiptonville, Ridgely and Samburg).

In March, Gibson Connect purchased the LitePipe division of Jones Telecommunications and hired former owner Tony Jones.  Since that time, we have brought in additional Gibson Connect staff to help ensure we are well prepared to provide the internet service you need.

We’ve also ordered materials, sent out requests for proposals, done engineering and will begin construction this month. We hope to have Phase 1 completed and the engineering started for Phase II by the end of 2018 or by early 2019.  

Because of the magnitude of this project – in terms of the cost, the area to be covered and the work required, we must do the fiber buildout in a way that is financially prudent and physically manageable.  At best, this will be a multi-year project, but we will keep you informed all along the way.  We sincerely appreciate your support and ask for your continued patience. 

We've reached 6,000 supporters!

3:01pm April 27, 2018

We’ve hit 6,000 supporters in just over seven months! We’re thrilled that over 16 percent of eligible Gibson Connect customers have now signed up for high-speed, fiber-based internet! Thank you to everyone who has registered and spread the word. We’re currently scheduling registration events throughout our service area so we can answer your questions and/or sign you up for service. Check our calendar on the events tab to find a time when we’ll be in your area. Please keep sharing!

Troy reaches 50%!

11:11am April 23, 2018

Way to go, Troy! You are currently at 51 percent of your goal with only 262 registrations needed. Please keep spreading the word to your family, friends and neighbors!

Three Way Meets Zone Goal!

4:16pm February 23, 2018

Congratulations Three Way! You are the third zone to reach 100% of your participation goal, and we are looking forward to serving you high-speed, fiber-based, reliable and affordable internet service!  Thank you to all who have spread the word, and please continue to do so! We'll keep you posted on Gibson Connect's progress moving forward.

Gibson Connect to Begin Fiber Buildout

8:24am February 21, 2018

    Gibson Electric Membership Corporation and its not-for-profit subsidiary, Gibson Connect, LLC, have announced that the companies will begin the buildout of high-speed fiber in Medina, Dyer, and Three Way, as well as in the area covered by the Tennessee broadband grant awarded for most of Lake County and the far northwestern part of Obion County. 

     “Our Gibson Connect and Gibson EMC boards have approved a resolution to design, engineer and build fiber in these areas,” said Dan Rodamaker, President and CEO of both companies.  “This is an exciting time for our members,” he said.  “Gaining access to high-speed, fiber-based internet service will have a profoundly positive impact on the quality of our member-owners’ lives,” Rodamaker said.

     Gibson EMC’s board of trustees formed Gibson Connect in 2017 after passage of the Tennessee Broadband Accessibility Act which allowed the state’s rural electric cooperatives to provide retail broadband service.  Then in mid-October Gibson Connect launched a website enabling members to register for service and guide the fiber buildout.  Medina was the first of 27 zones throughout Gibson EMC’s 12-county service area to reach its participation goal.  Dyer reached its goal next and Three Way is now at 96% with only 9 registrations to go.  The decision was made to move forward with Three Way since it was clear that zone would meet its participation goal within days. Also, because both Medina and Three Way are served from the same substation, it is more efficient and cost-effective to move forward with both zones simultaneously.  The grant, which covers underserved areas of Lake County and the far northwestern part of Obion County, will enable Gibson Connect to build out the Tiptonville, Ridgely and Samburg zones.

    “Our goal is to ultimately provide access to high-speed, fiber-based service to all of our members,” Rodamaker said, “but we must use a phased approach.  Phase 1 will require us to design, engineer and construct over 500 miles of fiber,” he said. “We expect that it could take a year or so to complete Phase 1.  Those members who are nearest to substations will receive service first; and as we build and pass members’ homes or businesses, we can serve those locations too,” Rodamaker explained.

     In addition to high-speed, fiber-based internet service, Gibson Connect will offer telephone service.  And, based on member interest, Gibson Connect will offer a television/video option although that offering has not yet been finalized.  Members can learn all about Gibson Connect, view the offerings, check their zone’s progress and register at join.gibsonconnect.com.  Members also can call 844-859-6767 to get more information and register.

     “Our members have been encouraging us for years to provide access to high-speed internet service,” Rodamaker said. “We appreciate Governor Haslam and all of our legislators who took the steps needed to enable us to provide this essential service,” he said.  “I also appreciate our board of trustees; they are a progressive group who sincerely desire to meet our members’ needs,” continued Rodamaker.  “Most importantly, we appreciate the support of our members.  Because of their confidence and trust as demonstrated through registrations supporting the fiber buildout, we will enhance the quality of life for our members and our communities.”

Newbern Reaches 50%!

3:07pm February 19, 2018

Great job, Newbern! Congratulations for reaching 50% of your zone goal! Only 172 registrations are needed to reach 100%. Please continue sharing with your neighbors!

Humboldt/Gibson reaches 50%!

2:28pm February 13, 2018

Congratulations to the Humboldt/Gibson zone for reaching 50 percent of its zone goal! Only 249 registrations are needed for this zone to reach 100 percent! Please keep sharing! 

Woodland Mills reaches 50% of its goal!

8:51am February 8, 2018

Congratulations to Woodland Mills for surpassing 50% of its zone goal! Currently at 51%, Woodland Mills needs 245 registrations to reach 100%. Thanks to everyone who has registered. Please keep encouraging your friends and neighbors to register as well. We are excited about  making high-speed, fiber-based internet a reality!

Dyer reaches 100% of Goal!

8:42am February 8, 2018

Way to go, Dyer!!! You're the second zone to reach 100% of your participation goal! A big thanks to everyone who worked so hard to get their family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, etc... to register! Please keep up the good work! We'll move forward and keep you posted on Gibson Connect's progress! Again, congratulations, Dyer!!!

Medina Zone Reaches 100% of Goal!

4:59pm January 13, 2018

This is a historic day for Gibson Connect and Medina! The Medina Zone is our first to reach 100% of goal, a milestone that moves us much closer to providing access to high-speed, fiber-based internet service to members in that zone. Next our board will vote to proceed with engineering, ordering materials and construction. Please continue encouraging your family, friends, co-workers and neighbors to register at join.gibsonconnect.com now and throughout engineering and construction!  Gibson Connect is a not-for-profit subsidiary of Gibson EMC (a not-for-profit, member-owned and member-controlled cooperative) and we need your continued support. We will keep you informed of our progress.  Thank you, Medina Zone! 

Hornbeak now at 50%!

8:14am January 5, 2018

Congratulations to Hornbeak for reaching 50% of its goal! Only 247 more registrations are needed in this zone. Keep encouraging your friends and neighbors to register. We are excited about offering high-speed, reliable and affordable internet service to our members!

Gadsden reaches 50%!

4:46pm January 4, 2018

Congratulations to Gadsden for reaching 50 percent of its participation goal! Only 119 more registrations are needed for this zone! Also, all zones are now at 20 percent or more! Thank you to all who have spread the word. Please keep encouraging your friends and neighbors to register!

Three Way Surpasses 50%!

8:54am December 27, 2017

Congratulations to Three Way for reaching 52% of its zone goal over the Christmas holiday! Only 112 more registrants are needed. Thank you to those who have registered, and please keep spreading the word!

Trenton North Members Reach 50%!

10:06am December 7, 2017

Congratulations to the Trenton North members who have now reached 50 percent of their goal! Only 241 more registrations are needed. Thanks to everyone who has registered and to those of you who have promoted the program. We are excited about offering this essential service to you!

Dyer Exceeds 50% of Goal!

1:09pm November 30, 2017

Congratulations to Dyer for surpassing 50% of its participation goal and moving into second place! With 52%, only 140 more registrations are needed for Dyer to reach its goal. Please keep encouraging your friends and neighbors to register so we can begin offering high-speed, fiber-based internet service in your area.

Congrats to Medina and Trenton South

10:14am November 24, 2017

Congratulations to Medina and Trenton South!  Medina has surpassed 60% of its participation goal and Trenton South has hit 50%! Thanks to everyone who has registered and especially to our Zone Champs! Wishing all of you a great weekend! Lots to be thankful for!

Medina Hits Milestone!

10:51am November 9, 2017

Congratulations to Medina for hitting a milestone! You're the first zone to reach 50 percent of your participation goal!  Great job Medina zone champions!  

Many of our other zones are doing really well too.  We appreciate everyone who has registered and we especially thank our Zone Champions for helping to get high-speed, fiber-based internet access to your areas. 

If you'd like materials to distribute, you can download and print them from your Dashboard. We also have handouts and cards available at our Gibson EMC member service centers.  Soon, we'll have door hangers too.  Please keep sharing our social media posts and encouraging your friends and neighbors to register.

Eight Zones at 30% of Goal

11:21am November 8, 2017

Supporters Hit 1,000 Mark in First Week

11:30am October 18, 2017

Wow! After just one week our join.gibsonconnect.com supporters hit 1,000! Thanks for your positive comments and your willingness to help make this essential service available throughout our area. We sent a press release out yesterday to help increase awareness, but you have the most impact!  Please continue sharing on social media and talking with your neighbors, friends and family.  Thanks again and congratulations on a fantastic first week!

First Milestone

11:34am October 12, 2017

Hurray! Yesterday we reached our first Gibson Connect milestone when all of our 27 Gibson Connect zones showed participation levels.  We launched Gibson Connect at our first Gibson EMC Member Appreciation Event in Trenton. 

At this moment, our two Trenton zones are leading the pack; the Trenton South zone is already at 15% of its goal and the Trenton North zone is at 14%.  The Medina and Dyer zones are not far behind at 11% to goal. Next are the Newbern and Hornbeak zones at 8% to goal.  The Three Way, Rutherford and Gadsden zones come in at 5%.  We have a total of 625 supporters so far.  Thanks to all of you who are helping to spread the word!  Zone Champions rock!

Gibson Connect - Powered by Gibson EMC - Is Here!

9:42am September 8, 2017

Since 1936, Gibson Electric Membership Corporation has provided its members with the essential service of electricity.  Now, at your urging, we're taking steps to provide you with the essential service of high-speed internet connectivity.  Gibson Connect, LLC was formed in July 2017.  It is a not-for-profit, wholly owned subsidiary of Gibson EMC.   

What makes Gibson Connect different?  First, Gibson Connect is powered by the very same people you already know and trust.  For us, it's not about profit; it's about providing you with excellent service and supporting our communities.  Our goal is to ultimately provide all of our eligible* members access to a 100% fiber network.  This is exciting for our members and our communities because fiber offers many important benefits:

• Reliable - It is less affected by weather than other sources.
• Extremely Fast - It gives you access up to 1 Gig (1,000 megabits per second). That's 100 times faster than the national average.
• No Buffering - With  our 1 Gig speed you can download a 2-hour HD movie in less than a minute or a 9-hour audiobook in less than a second.
• Not Just Internet - Gibson Connect plans to provide telephone) and possibly TV/video (if there is enough interest) over the same connection.  Our telephone offering will operate the same as your local telephone service, but it will include unlimited long distance and advanced calling features. 

You and other members will drive our construction plans. If you want us to build fiber to your home or business, register today.  Encourage others - your friends, neighbors and community - to register too!  When a zone reaches the required participation level, our board of trustees will vote to approve the fiber build-out.  Zones that demonstrate the highest levels of interest by exceeding the required participation levels will earn priority. 

Gibson EMC has a proud history of providing power to the people of this area and we look forward to providing connectivity to the communities we know and love!

For more information, please check out our Frequently Asked Questions . 

*Tennessee law prevents Gibson Connect from serving Gibson EMC members within  the West Kentucky & Tennessee Telecommunications Cooperative service area (in Tennessee).