Tennessee Code Title 65. Public Utilities and Carriers § 65-21-203

No telegraph or telephone corporation has the power to contract with the owners of lands or the rights in lands, or with any other person or corporation, for the right to erect, operate, or maintain telegraph, telephone, or other lines or works for the speedy transmission of intelligence, over the lands, privileges, rights, or easements of such owner or other person or corporation, to the exclusion of other persons or corporations authorized to erect and operate lines and works for the speedy transmission of intelligence.