epb

What epb does

EPB (Electric Power Board of Chattanooga) is a municipal public power utility serving the greater Chattanooga, Tennessee area with an integrated stack of electric distribution and fiber-optic communications services. Founded in 1935, EPB operates one of the first community-wide fiber-to-the-premises networks in the United States, delivering symmetrical internet speeds from 300 Mbps to 25 Gbps alongside IP-based television, phone, and regulated electricity distribution across a 600+ square mile service territory. Recurring revenue is generated through tiered monthly subscriptions for residential and business fiber services ($57.99–$1,500/month for internet; $44–$171 for TV; $22–$39 for phone) and per-kWh electricity billing under regulated rates, with go-to-market executed as a direct municipal provider with no resellers.

EPB's underlying technology combines a 100% fiber-optic network with an automated smart grid that has reduced average annual outages by 55% through automatic isolation and rerouting. Distribution is direct-to-consumer for residential customers and sales-led for business and enterprise clients, with government and institutional clients served directly for dark fiber and quantum network access. The company has been ranked the #1 Mid-Sized Utility in the South by J.D. Power for nine consecutive years, reflecting high customer satisfaction across its mass-market subscriber base.

Since 2022, EPB has extended beyond traditional utility operations into quantum technology, launching the nation's first commercially available quantum network (EPB Quantum Network), partnering with IonQ (NYSE: IONQ) in April 2025 to develop the EPB Quantum Center (expected completion early 2026), and standing up the Institute for Quantum Innovation with Vanderbilt University. Strategic moves have attracted material non-dilutive funding — $32.3M from the U.S. Department of Energy for microgrid controls with Oak Ridge National Laboratory, $4M from NIST for a Quantum Computing Fellowship program, and $15M from IonQ — alongside academic partnerships with the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and Vanderbilt University to build a regional quantum workforce. As a government-owned entity governed by an EPB Board, the company has no external shareholders; capital for expansion flows from operating cash flow, federal grants, and technology partners rather than venture capital or public equity markets.

Name

epb

Legal name

Electric Power Board

Website

https://epb.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1939

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

EPB is a municipal utility serving Chattanooga, Tennessee with integrated electric distribution, community-wide fiber internet (up to 25 Gbps), television, and phone services, while building a quantum computing and networking ecosystem through partnerships with IonQ, Vanderbilt, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Municipal Utilities and Telecommunications

NAICS

All Other Telecommunications (5178)

SIC

Telephone Communications (No Radiotelephone) (4813)

akta.pro primary industry

Distribution Substations & Switching Stations (MV) EPC (EUAEACAC)

Keywords

• Fiber internet services
• Electric utility services
• Quantum networking infrastructure
• Smart grid distribution
• Municipal telecommunications

Headquarters

HQ city

Chattanooga

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Residential Internet, TV, and Phone Services: Monthly subscription revenue from residential customers for bundled or standalone fiber internet, television, and phone services. Revenue is recurring subscription-based with tiered pricing based on speed tiers and service bundle selections.
2. Business Fiber Services: Dedicated fiber connectivity services for commercial and enterprise customers including EPBnet carrier transport, dedicated internet access, and customized business solutions with service level agreements.
3. Electric Distribution Services: Revenue from electricity distribution to residential and commercial customers, billed per kilowatt-hour (kWh) based on regulated utility rates approved by the Tennessee Valley Authority and local regulatory bodies.
4. Quantum Network Access: Commercial quantum computing and quantum network access services for research institutions, technology companies, and government entities seeking to develop quantum applications and capabilities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

EPB is a municipal utility providing fiber optic internet (FiSpeed, 300 Mbps to 25 Gbps), television (Fi TV), phone (Fi Phone), and electric distribution services to residential and business customers in the greater Chattanooga, Tennessee area. The company also operates EPB Quantum Network and the EPB Quantum Center, offering commercial access to quantum computing (via IonQ) and quantum networking for research, business, and government customers.

Product overview

EPB is a customer-focused technology company offering integrated energy and communications services to the Chattanooga, Tennessee area. The core product portfolio includes FiSpeed Internet (fiber optic internet with speeds up to 25 Gbps), Fi TV (IP television service), and Fi Phone (voice services), all delivered over EPB's 100% fiber optic network. EPB's advanced Smart Grid provides automated power distribution. In 2022, EPB expanded into quantum technology with EPB Quantum Network—the nation's first commercially available quantum network—and subsequently launched EPB Quantum Center and EPB Quantum Computing in partnership with IonQ. Community programs including HCS EdConnect, Home Uplift, and PowerShare support local residents. The company also offers battery-based microgrids and solar energy programs through its energy services division.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• EPB Quantum: A brand encompassing EPB's quantum computing and quantum networking initiatives, including the EPB Quantum Network and EPB Quantum Center.
• FiSpeed Internet
• Fi TV
• Fi Phone
• EPB Smart Net Plus
• MyEPB

Products and services

• FiSpeed Internet Fiber optic internet service providing residential and business connectivity with symmetrical upload/download speeds ranging from 300 Mbps to 25 Gbps, delivered over EPB's community-wide fiber network.
• Fi TV Television service delivered over EPB's fiber optic network, offering tiered channel packages (Bronze, Silver, Gold), unlimited DVR recordings, and streaming capabilities via the Fi TV Entertainment Box.
• Fi Phone Home phone service with multiple plan tiers (Starter, LD 120, Advanced), featuring battery backup capability during power outages and international calling options.
• Smart Grid Energy Automated electric power distribution service marketed as America's first community-wide automated grid, providing enhanced reliability through self-isolating and self-rerouting power distribution to minimize customer outages.
• EPB Quantum Network The nation's first commercially available quantum network, providing secure quantum communication infrastructure for research institutions, technology companies, and government entities.
• EPB Quantum Center The first U.S. quantum technology center providing commercial access to both quantum computing and quantum networking resources, developed in partnership with IonQ and scheduled for completion in early 2026.
• EPB Quantum Computing Commercial quantum computing access service utilizing IonQ Forte Enterprise quantum computer, offering access time for internal development and external customers including research institutions and technology companies.
• EPB Smart Net Plus Whole-home advanced WiFi service powered by Plume, providing concierge-level installation, adaptive WiFi management, and 24/7 technical support to residential customers.
• Battery-Based Microgrids Battery energy storage systems deployed across multiple urban sites providing grid hardening and demand charge reduction, with existing capacity of 29 MW/58 MWh and expansion plans to 100–150 MW, developed in partnership with Oak Ridge National Laboratory under a $32.3 million DOE grant.
• Solar Share Community solar program in partnership with TVA that provides residential and business customers access to cleaner energy without requiring rooftop solar panel installation.
• EPB Energy Pros Home energy consultation service providing expert advice on energy efficiency improvements, smart thermostats, appliance upgrades, bill analysis, and solar installation consultations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduced average annual storm and equipment-related outages by 55% through automated grid technology deployment
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• IonQflagshipTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2021EPB Quantum Center powered by IonQ quantum computers, providing commercial quantum computing access for research institutions, technology companies, and government entities to develop quantum applications and capabilities.
• QubitekkcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2021Quantum network technology provider enabling EPB's quantum network infrastructure and EPB Quantum Center for secure quantum communications and quantum computing access.
• University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership for quantum research, workforce development, and educational programs supporting the quantum innovation ecosystem in Chattanooga.
• Vanderbilt UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration through the Institute for Quantum Innovation for advanced quantum research, technology development, and quantum workforce training programs.
• Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal research partnership for quantum science research, supercomputing integration, and advanced technology development leveraging ORNL's national laboratory capabilities.
• Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnergy partnership for wholesale power supply, transmission coordination, and regional energy infrastructure planning serving EPB's role as a power distributor.
• Silicon RanchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSolar energy partnership for renewable energy development and sustainability initiatives supporting EPB's clean energy goals.
• Southeastern Quantum Collaborative (SQC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional quantum technology initiative bringing together universities, research institutions, and companies across the southeastern United States to advance quantum innovation and commercialization.
• CO.LABminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional startup accelerator partnership supporting technology entrepreneurship and innovation in the Chattanooga area through ecosystem development and mentorship.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• AT&T: Incumbent US telecom with AT&T Fiber offering gigabit and multi-gig residential service. Overlaps with EPB's fiber internet and phone offerings but as part of a much broader national portfolio.
• Comcast Xfinity: Largest US cable broadband provider, also offering Xfinity Fiber and bundled TV, phone, and smart home. Competes with EPB's FiSpeed/Fi TV/Fi Phone bundle across the Chattanooga market.
• Lumen Technologies: Enterprise and wholesale telecom with Quantum Fiber consumer offering. Comparable to EPB in fiber and carrier ethernet services (EPBnet), particularly for enterprise and government customers.

Direct peers

• Ziply Fiber: Fiber ISP serving the Pacific Northwest with multi-gig residential and business tiers. Comparable in fiber-first positioning and emphasis on speed leadership similar to EPB's 25 Gbps offering.
• Frontier Communications: National fiber ISP (Frontier Fiber) rolling out multi-gig residential and business service. Comparable to EPB in fiber-led residential and enterprise connectivity, though at much larger geographic scale.
• Google Fiber: Google's residential and business fiber internet service. Directly comparable to EPB's FiSpeed Internet, competing on gigabit and multi-gigabit fiber tiers in the southeastern US.
• Sonic: California-based independent fiber and DSL ISP offering symmetrical gigabit fiber plus phone and TV. Closely aligned with EPB's FiSpeed/Fi Phone bundle positioning.
• Verizon Fios: Fiber-to-the-home internet, TV, and phone service from Verizon. Comparable to EPB's bundled fiber/TV/phone offering with symmetrical speeds and a focus on dense residential and business markets.
• Ting Internet: Independent fiber ISP with roots in municipal fiber deployments. Comparable business model to EPB in delivering community-oriented fiber internet, including in smaller markets.
• Bristol Tennessee Essential Services (BTES): Municipal electric, fiber, and broadband utility in Bristol, Tennessee. The closest analog to EPB in business model, combining municipal electric distribution with community-wide fiber services in a Tennessee small/mid-sized city.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/EPB_Chattanooga
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@EPBofChattanooga
• Facebookfacebook.com/EPBChattanooga
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/epbofchattanooga
• Instagraminstagram.com/epbchattanooga

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about epb