Brightspeed plans to complete the first phase of a 10-county fiber network in Arkansas passing 40,000 new customers by the end of 2023. The company’s Arkansas footprint is expected to expand to more than 100,000 customers in the years to follow.
The Arkansas build is part of Brightspeed’s plan to invest at least $2 billion in its fiber-optic transformation intended to reach up to 3 million homes and businesses in the next five years. Brightspeed will leverage XGS-PON architecture to offer symmetrical Internet speeds exceeding 1 Gbit/sec and WiFi 6, the latest wireless networking standard.
“We look forward to beginning our network deployment in Arkansas and participating in the state’s continued growth and development,” says Chris Creager, chief administration officer at Brightspeed. “We are thrilled about the opportunity to work with stakeholders at state, county, and city levels to further expand fiber-based broadband availability through participation in the Arkansas Rural Connect program and other broadband infrastructure initiatives.”
Brightspeed’s 2022-23 plan for Arkansas will include Arkansas, Benton, Desha, Lonoke, Monroe, Poinsett, Pope, Pulaski, Randolph and Yell counties.
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