Arkansas coops connect one million homes and businesses to fiber

The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas have completed a $4.66 billion fiber broadband expansion, bringing high-speed internet to over one million residents. The initiative involved installing 40,000 miles of fiber through 17 cooperative broadband providers, including local and wholesale providers. An additional $2.2 billion investment is planned to connect 13,000 more residents, expanding the network to 53,000 miles and 1.2 million residents.

Drawing on their history of rural electrification, the cooperatives focused on underserved rural areas often overlooked by major telecom companies. Nearly 80% of the funding came from the cooperatives themselves, demonstrating their commitment to bridging the digital divide. CEO Vernon “Buddy” Hasten emphasized the democratic nature of co-ops, where members demanded broadband and co-ops found viable ways to deliver it.

The expansion was facilitated by Arkansas’s repeal of restrictive broadband laws in 2021, clearing the way for community-run networks. The cooperatives also leveraged federal funds, like ARPA grants, to deploy cutting-edge 2.5 Gbps services. 

Looking ahead, Arkansas cooperatives aim to continue their role in affordable broadband expansion, supported by over $1 billion in federal infrastructure grants. Hasten likened the impact of broadband to rural electrification, highlighting its role in enhancing rural life and economic opportunities.

CLICK HERE to read more about the great work being done by the coops at the Community Networks website, presented by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance