PhireLink establishes Arkansas fiber presence with Arkwest Communications acquisition

PhireLink has made its first move to create a fiber broadband network presence in Arkansas by acquiring Spectracomm and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Arkwest Communications, an Arkansas-based provider.

The acquisition is part of a multi-pronged process PhireLink is taking to grow its business.

In addition to acquisitions, Louisiana awarded PhireLink Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) funding. PhireLink is actively pursuing other state and federal funding opportunities to augment its network expansion plans further. 

Focus on fiber

A key attraction of the Arkwest deal is fiber.

Arkwest has built a fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) network spanning more than 900 route miles.

The purchase will further expand PhireLink's growing rural and tier-two broadband operations portfolio across Louisiana, Colorado and Kansas.

"Arkwest's extensive, fiber-based network, strong financial profile, experienced employee base, and deep community ties formed over several generations of local family ownership, make it the ideal launching point for PhireLink's planned rural-based, broadband expansion strategy across central and broader Arkansas,” said Glen F. Post III, Chairman and CEO of PhireLink.

The acquisition is expected to close in the second quarter of this year after meeting customary regulatory approval and closing conditions. The financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

After the deal closes, Arkwest will continue to operate as Arkwest Communications.

Long rural history

Since its founding in 1939, Arkwest has had a long history of serving rural markets.

A family-owned provider, Arkwest has served communities across western Arkansas since its founding as Yell County Telephone Company in 1939.

Arkwest leverages third-generation GPON fiber technology, providing multi-gigabit-per-second symmetrical upstream and downstream broadband speeds to customers across its entire footprint.

Spectracomm's chairman, Todd Sanders, said what sets it apart is that it built the fiber network organically with its capital.

"The company is extremely proud of its reinvestment in the communities it serves, particularly as the 100 percent fiber network was created, not with grants, but entirely by internally generated cash flows,” he said.

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