Brightspeed reaches halfway point of Arkansas fiber build

Brightspeed reported that it had reached the halfway point of its fiber network build in Arkansas and said that nearly 101,000 homes and businesses had access to its fiber internet service. The company also outlined plans for additional statewide locations as construction continued.

Brightspeed said its Arkansas build was 50 percent complete and that deployment was planned to extend access to more than 202,000 locations once the network build finished. The company tied the expansion to federal and state funding, citing nearly $26.3 million in BEAD support for an additional 13,799 locations and more than $470,000 in ARPA grants for another 528 locations.

Brightspeed stated that its Brightspeed Fiber Internet network was 100 percent complete for the communities it listed as newly connected: Bald Knob, Carlisle, Clarendon, Corning, Cotton Plant, Des Arc, Dumas, England, Gillett, Hazen, Jacksonville, Judsonia, Kensett, Leachville, Marvell, McRae, Melbourne, Paris, Pocahontas, Rector, Russellville and Waldo. In the same update, it said representatives were working door to door while construction continued statewide.

According to the company, Brightspeed representatives were visiting Atkins, Austin, Bald Knob, Cabot, Caraway, Carlisle, Cave Springs, Centerton, Clarendon, Dardanelle, Des Arc, De Witt, Dumas, England, Hazen, Jacksonville, Judsonia, Kensett, Lake City, Leachville, Lowell, Manila, Marvell, McCory, Mountain Home, Paris, Pea Ridge, Piggott, Pocahontas, Prescott, Rector, Russellville, Siloam Springs, Star City, Stuttgart, Trumann, Waldo and Waldron to provide information on fiber availability, plans and benefits, and to help residents and businesses get connected.

“Bringing fiber connectivity to these communities is a major step forward for our residents and businesses,” said Arkansas State Broadband Director Glen Howie. “Reliable, high‑speed internet opens the door to economic advancement, supports education and healthcare, and helps ensure Arkansans, both urban and rural, can self-determine their success in the twenty-first century digital economy.” “Reaching the halfway point in Arkansas is an important milestone, but making sure people understand how to take advantage of fiber service is just as critical,” said Tshacha Romeo, director of sales channel at Brightspeed.

Brightspeed said residents and businesses could check availability and explore plans at www.brightspeed.com while its Arkansas network build continued.