Chattanooga, TN (Nov. 20, 2020) – EPB Fiber Optics has launched a free service to help customers find the TV channels and content they want at the best value—whether that includes EPB Fi TV or streaming services. Customers are invited to call EPB or go to epb.com/mybundle to receive personalized recommendations to help them take control of their TV content. After answering a few easy questions, customers are able to comparison shop EPB Fi TV and a range of streaming services to identify their best fit for TV at the best price (Video overview of EPB MyBundle).

According to David Wade, president & CEO of EPB, as national TV content providers have continually demanded dramatic price increases, new streaming services have also opened new options. “We know many customers are facing additional financial hardships right now,” Wade said. “We were thankful that several national content providers were more reasonable in negotiating new rates this year. We also cut some less popular channels hoping that these factors would allow us to delay a TV rate increase for another year. Unfortunately, several of the major networks are demanding a huge increase starting in January, and we will have no choice but to pass it along to TV subscribers.”

In a report to the EPB Board, Wade explained that based on the information received at this point, the major networks will require such a significant increase that it will impact all TV subscribers. “We’re planning to hold off on passing that increase along to EPB customers until March to help them get through the winter months without this additional burden,” Wade said. “Our customers are facing the same kinds of increases being demanded of TV subscribers across the nation, but EPB is doing everything we can to soften the impact for our community.”

Although EPB is required by state law to charge enough to cover the costs of providing its services and the dramatic increase in TV costs is being driven at a national level, EPB is bringing its expertise and community-wide fiber optic network to the table to give customers new options. “With EPB Fi-Speed Internet, our customers have the bandwidth you need for a great TV experience whether you choose EPB Fi TV or a combination of streaming services,” Wade said. “We know many customers may be interested in new TV options but are hesitant about choosing from so many different streaming providers. That’s why EPB has launched EPB MyBundle to provide customers with expert guidance by phone or online. In many cases, we find that customers can get more of the content they want while paying much less with either a single streaming service or some combination.”

While EPB is providing expert guidance for customers interested in exploring the flexibility and potential price savings available from streaming services, it remains committed to offering EPB Fi TV. “We know many of our customers prefer the convenience of being able to bundle internet and TV services,” Wade said. “EPB will continue to provide them with a world-class TV experience as the TV industry continues to shift,” Wade said.

Whether customers choose EPB Fi TV, streaming services or some combination, EPB maintains its commitment to transparent pricing. “We want customers to know the true cost of EPB services and give them plenty of notice when we have to change rates,” Wade said. “That’s why we will never charge ‘broadcast fees’ or ‘regional sports fees’ that other providers do not include when they promote their pricing.”

Customers interested in learning more about how EPB can help them find the content they want at the best value are invited to contact EPB’s award-winning, anytime customer service at 423-648-1372 or go to epb.com/mybundle.

ABOUT EPB

EPB serves the greater Chattanooga area by providing world-class energy and connectivity solutions as a means of promoting economic development and enhancing quality of life for our community. We deliver electricity to more than 170,000 homes and businesses across our 600 square mile service area which includes most of Hamilton County as well as parts of surrounding counties in both Tennessee and Georgia. In 2010, EPB Fiber Optics, which offers internet, TV, and telephone services, 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 which is accessible 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.

EPB is an independent board of the City of Chattanooga which began serving customers in 1939. Visit epb.com for more information.

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