Chattanooga, TN (December 14, 2017) – Following the repeal of Net Neutrality consumer protections by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), EPB Fiber Optics of Chattanooga is re-affirming its commitment to upholding Net Neutrality standards for its customers. To this end, EPB Fiber Optics has recently updated its Customer Care Pledge by adding two points that speak specifically to this issue (see below).

“By deploying America’s first community-wide all-fiber optic network capable of delivering Gig Plus speeds to every home and business in our service area, EPB has the capacity to continue providing our customers with a world-class internet experience without the need to slow or prioritize any of the internet traffic across our network,” said David Wade, president and CEO of EPB. “In the best interests of our customers and our community, EPB will uphold the Net Neutrality standard.”

Wade cited EPB’s Customer Care Pledge as a clear communication of EPB’s approach to upholding Net Neutrality principals along with other aspects of EPB Fiber Optics commitment to personalized customer service:

EPB Customer Care Pledge

The best possible service delivered with the utmost respect. That's always been our commitment to our customers — and it always will be.

· Internet Privacy - We never sell your web site browsing information or online content

· Open Internet (Net Neutrality) — Every home and business customer can send web content through EPB's network at the same fast speed without having to pay extra

· Fair and Equal Internet — EPB doesn't play favorites when it comes to online traffic, so businesses of all sizes have a level playing field for delivering new and innovative options for customers. That's good for customers and good for creating new jobs

· Internet without data caps or speed throttling

· Free installation and no contracts

· No hidden fees or surprise billing

· Neighborly customer service, 24/7/365 to serve you

Wade also emphasized the importance of open internet standards as the internet becomes increasingly essential to accessing opportunity in the United States and across the world.

“Whether you’re talking about grade school students completing their homework or adults re-training for new careers, applying for jobs, or working from home, the internet provides critical access to educational and economic opportunities,” Wade said. “At the same time, the internet has become a primary platform for business operation, growth, and innovation. In the near future, healthcare delivery and other essential human services will be transformed by the internet. That’s why EPB Fiber Optics is committed to providing a standard of internet service that doesn’t create barriers, restrictions, or delays for our customers.”

About EPB

Established as an independent board of the City of Chattanooga in 1935, EPB is a municipally-owned utility that provides electric power and fiber optic communications services as a means of promoting economic development and enhancing quality of life across the local area.

EPB serves more than 170,000 homes and businesses in a 600 square-mile area that includes greater Chattanooga, as well as parts of surrounding counties and areas of North Georgia.

In 2010, EPB became the first provider in the United States to deliver up to 1 Gig (1,000 mbps) internet speeds utilizing a community-wide fiber optic network that provides access to every home and business in its service area. In 2015, EPB became the first, and to date, only American ISP to make up to 10 Gig (10,000 mbps) internet speeds accessible to all of its residential and commercial customers as a standard offer.

EPB has also utilized its community-wide fiber optic network to deploy the most advanced and highly automated smart grid power management system in the nation. In recognition of EPB’s groundbreaking infrastructure, the Department of Energy and Oak Ridge National Laboratory are utilizing EPB’s smart grid as a national model for researching and developing best practices. EPB is also the first major power distribution utility to earn the USGBC’s PEER certification for having a highly automated, modernized electric power grid.