Living on the outskirts often means compromising on connectivity. Rural internet options tend to be slow or nonexistent altogether. Yet, every once in a while you can come across a local internet provider dedicated to keeping you connected. Queue in TEC. TEC is a southern ISP that offers internet and phone services to homes outside city limits. See what else TEC brings to the table below.
Finding a reliable internet provider outside of town can be a tall hill to climb sometimes. Yet, other times, you luck out with local providers like TEC. It is a southern telecom company that offers high-speed internet and phone services to rural and suburban homes. Its internet plans include unlimited data, gigabit speeds, free equipment rentals, and no contract requirements. You read that right. To top it off, TEC internet prices are very affordable compared to other rural options. Plans with DSL speeds of 4 Mbps to 50 Mbps starting at $49.95/mo., and plans with fiber internet speeds of 100 Mbps to 940 Mbps starting at just $89.95/mo.
Even better, TEC offers internet and phone bundles where phone service is free. Again, that’s no typo. Get high-speed internet and free phone service when you sign up. To see what plans are available at your address, enter your zip code below.
Based out of Jackson, Mississippi, TEC is a southern internet service provider for rural and suburban communities in four states. Its coverage area includes select regions of Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee, with offices dispersed throughout. Today, it serves approximately 400,000 customers and has no plans of slowing down. To see if this provider is available in your area, enter your zip code above.
No contracts
No equipment fees
Slow upload speeds
Limited availability
Created in 1923, TEC started out as a small local telephone company under the name Bay Springs Telephone Company. Its sole mission was to connect people near and far, and one hundred years later, its mission has not changed. If anything, its mission has expanded to include more ways to communicate. In 1972, the company was incorporated as TEC (Telephone Electronics Corporation) and united 6 companies from Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee. Over time, it introduced internet service as an offering, and now connects the southern United States with high-speed DSL and fiber internet. This provider is also very involved in the communities it serves, with scholarship programs and low-income internet plans that support locals.
TEC offers comprehensive customer service that includes 24/7 technical support, walk-in office visits, a Facebook chatline, and assistance by phone at 800-832-2515. TEC customers can also submit a request online for a customer representative to reach out. You don’t have to worry about being put on hold with TEC.
TEC offers upload speeds ranging from 1 Mbps to 50 Mbps. These vary by both your location and the internet plan you pay for. According to the FCC, the minimum accepted upload speed for broadband is 3 Mbps, which is fast enough for one device to upload a picture to Facebook or join a Zoom meeting.
No. TEC only offers broadband, phone, and home security services. However, you can still enjoy streaming services with TEC’s xStream internet.
Yes. For qualifying households, TEC offers Lifeline support for internet and phone services. Lifeline is a federal program where the FCC partners with internet providers to provide discounted internet plans to low-income families. You can save at least $9.25 a month if you qualify for Lifeline.
No. TEC doesn’t require a contract for any of its services, so you never have to feel trapped in your plan. Upgrade, stay, or switch whenever you want.
No. However, TEC internet plans come with free equipment rentals, so you can say goodbye to extra monthly fees.
Fiber internet is faster than DSL. Much faster. DSL download speeds typically cap out around 150 Mbps, whereas fiber speeds range from 1 Gbps to 10 Gbps depending on your provider.
