FAQ's

Your local electric cooperative, Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative (MLEC), launched MLConnect in August 2018. MLEC has been delivering safe, affordable, reliable electricity to this area since 1939. We are not-for-profit and owned by the members we serve.

Just like MLEC, MLConnect, LLC is a non-profit, wholly-owned subsidiary of MLEC. It will provide advanced communication solutions like high-speed internet and telephone services through a broadband fiber network to members in each of the counties MLEC serves: Hickman, Houston, Humphreys, Lewis and Perry.

Fiber optics is the latest technology in providing broadband services. It is considered future-proof, meaning that the fiber we install today will be able to handle increased data loads as the need for more and more speed grows.

Fiber technology makes it possible to deliver speeds up to 10 Gig (10,000 megabits per second or 10,000 Mbps). Speeds are only limited by the connected electronics that “light” the actual fiber. MLConnect’s system can easily provide 10 Gig service. 

Fiber is more reliable than other types of networks such as DSL and satellite, by being less prone to interference and complications from lightning and other natural elements

Broadband will be available to all MLEC members in Hickman, Houston, Humphreys, Lewis and Perry counties, including those more rural areas other providers have overlooked. Click here learn more!

MLConnect offers 300 Mbps and 1 Gig residential broadband services and business options, as well as phone services. Learn more in the PRODUCTS tab!

First, let us know you are interested! When we are building fiber in your area, you will be contacted about signing up. Watch for announcements on our website, social media pages, and local news outlets. Learn more here!

It is watching videos or TV programs and playing games online. There on-demand streaming like Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Hulu, where you can watch what you want whenever your want. And, there is live streaming which is watching or listening to live programming like you have on your cable or satellite service, except it is coming to you over the internet. You might even watch your local high school games over the internet.

Streaming enables you to watch content on your smart phone, tablet, laptop or smart TV. Have an older TV? You can use a media player such as AppleTV, Roku, or a game console to convert the Internet signal to a TV signal. (You will need a media player for each older TV you want to use.)

Learn More!

Home and business phone services with MLConnect are VoIP. This technology allows you to make voice calls using a broadband Internet connection instead of a regular (or analog) phone line. You can keep your current number and take advantage of services such as call waiting, call forwarding, voicemail, voicemail to text, RoboCall blocking, three-way calling, and caller ID.

MLConnect is building its 100 percent fiber network in phases as MLEC works on its smart grid capabilities in each county. The plan will have crews working in multiple counties at one time, so not all homes/businesses will be eligible for broadband service at the same time. 

Our goal is to complete construction in all five counties by the end of 2022. Of course with the amount of interest, in-home and in-business installations will take a bit longer.

Phase I (in and around the cities) construction is finished and in-home/business installations are ongoing.

Phase II construction began in October 2019 and includes the rural areas of Humphreys and Houston counties. It utilizes a Tennessee Economic and Community Development grant received for rural Humphreys County to bring broadband. The grant is time sensitive, and we need to complete this part of the project in a timely fashion. Phase II will span 15 months. (We anticipate that the construction phase will finish in early 2021.)

Phases III and IV: Areas will be designed as Phase II construction nears the end.

MLEC and MLConnect are committed to making broadband an option for ALL - yes all - MLEC members. It is not a matter of "if" but "when" we will reach everyone. As shared, we are on target for completing construction by the end of 2022. Realistically installations will be ongoing past that because we can't be everywhere at once. However, obtaining grants can help us with the timing and economic impact of reaching our goal.

What phase are you in?

• If not registered on our website, click here and enter your address, select “residential” or “commercial” and then “Search For My Address.” The next screen will show your ZONE.
• If you have already registered, click here and sign in. From here, you can verify your ZONE
• ZONE descriptions:
  • Name of a city followed by numbers (Example Waverly DA 11-3140), you are in Phase I and can call to get service now.
  • A county name followed by numbers (Example Humphreys County WA 11-3243) means you are in a section of Phase II ready for installation. Just call us!
  • "Phase II" means your area will soon be under construction. An MLConnect representative will contact you when we are working in your area if you have registered with us online.
  • Numbers shown before your ZONE name (Example 10-314 Brown Hollow) means your location is in Phase III or IV and will be designed at a later date.

• FOR ANY PHASE, pick products you are interested in and click “Submit.” (Not an obligation to buy, but it gives us a way to contact you when we are working in your area.)

Building in phases is the most efficient, fastest way to serve the majority of our customers. It takes advantage of equipment and resources MLEC already had in place and builds out from our core. We anticipate being able to complete the entire construction project in four phases.

Phase I construction, which includes in and around the cities in our service area, is actively doing installations now..

Phase II construction (the rural areas of Humphreys and Houston counties) is under construction with installations already open in some areas. Construction is estimated to conclude in early 2021.

Phases III and IV have a projected completion of late 2022.  Of course, in-home/business installations will be ongoing after that date. To be notified when we are in your area, register here!

MLConnect provides customers free standard installation. Service can come to your home overhead or underground depending on your electric service. Click HERE to see our standard installation.

MLConnect utilizes quality equipment and service. Click HERE to learn more about our residential gateways.

Unlike many providers, MLConnect brings the highest level of technology all the way to your home or business. Want to know more? Click HERE. 

No. MLConnect, LLC is a non-profit, wholly-owned subsidiary of MLEC. It will be a self-sustaining business. Funds from MLEC cannot be used to subsidize broadband services, and MLEC is regulated by the Tennessee Valley Authority.

MLEC’s existing fiber network (backbone) connects our offices and substations to support technology making the delivery of electricity more resilient, affordable and reliable. It is also being used to help MLEC create a more efficient electric grid to meet future power needs and innovations. 

As a benefit, the fiber has the capacity to carry much more information than is used by MLEC. MLConnect will lease space on this fiber to be able to provide service to MLEC members who choose MLConnect as their internet/telephone programming provider.

This partnership makes better use of MLEC's investment in our fiber network.