Brightspeed to Bring Broadband to 100,000 Addresses in Arkansas

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Brightspeed has continued its steady stream of announcements with a pledge to deploy a fiber broadband network to more than 100,000 addresses in Arkansas.

The company, which is awaiting the closing of its acquisition of properties from Lumen Technologies, says that it will pass 10 counties in Arkansas, adding 40,000 fiber passings by the end of next year. It will add 60,000 passings in subsequent years.

The first phase will provide broadband fiber to Arkansas, Benton, Desha, Lonoke, Monroe, Poinsett, Pope, Pulaski, Randolph and Yell counties.

Brightspeed says its deployments will be based on XGS-PON technology capable of symmetrical speeds of more than 1 Gbps and that the services offered will include Wi-Fi 6.

“Households and businesses, especially in our rural communities, need high-quality internet connectivity they can rely on, whether for working, learning, accessing healthcare, or growing their businesses,” Brightspeed Chief Administrator Chris Creager said in a press release. Customers will be delighted with our simple, intuitive user experience and state-of-the-art internet services achievable only through an all-fiber network.”

Creager said that Brightspeed will work with the Arkansas Rural Connect program and broadband initiatives to extend the build beyond the initial estimates.

According to Telecompetitor calculations, Brightspeed so far has committed to broadband builds in 11 states. It has announced plans to pass approximately 1.08 million addresses by the end of next year and 1.554 million addresses in subsequent years.

In addition to Arkansas, the states in which Brightspeed has announced projects are North Carolina, Virginia, Texas, Alabama, Ohio, Louisiana, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Tennessee.

In all, Brightspeed says that it will spend $2 billion during the next five years to reach 3 million addresses. Those deployments will start in earnest once Apollo managed funds and Lumen Technologies receive all approvals on their deal. The deal will give Brightspeed Lumen assets in 20 states.

State approvals have been secured. Signoff from the FCC is expected this quarter and finalization of the transaction is expected in the fourth quarter, Brightspeed says.

Earlier this month, Brightspeed said it would bring its network to 130,000 addresses in Tennessee. The first phase would cover 60,000 addresses, with subsequent service to 70,000 addresses.