January Newsletter

January 28, 2026

A Message from the State Broadband Director

Dear Arkansas Broadband Stakeholder,

As we begin a new year, Arkansas has entered an important new phase in our broadband journey. After years of planning, coordination, and disciplined program design, the State has now formally secured its BEAD funding, marking a pivotal step toward turning plans into action. The momentum built throughout 2024 and 2025 has positioned Arkansas to move forward with confidence, clarity, and accountability.

In this month’s newsletter, you’ll read about the signing of Arkansas’ BEAD Notice of Award, officially securing $1.024 billion for the State. We also take a closer look at what this milestone enables as the program moves toward legislative appropriation, how our teams and partners are preparing for construction, and the measurable progress Arkansas has already made in expanding broadband access. Together, these updates reflect a program delivering results and focused on continued execution.

Naturally connected,

Glen E. Howie, Jr.
Arkansas State Broadband Director

Arkansas Officially Secures $1.024 Billion in BEAD Funding

On January 2, State Broadband Director Glen Howie signed Arkansas’ Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Notice of Award from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology. With this action, Arkansas has formally secured $1.024 billion in BEAD funding to expand high-speed internet access to over 79,000 homes and businesses across the State.

The Notice of Award represents the official obligation of federal funds following approval of Arkansas’ BEAD Final Proposal and budget. It confirms that the State has met all required federal planning, fiscal, and oversight standards and places Arkansas among the earliest states in the nation to fully secure BEAD funding, an important step as the program advances toward construction this year.

🔍 View Arkansas’ BEAD provisional results here.

From Award to Action: What the BEAD Notice of Award Enables

With the Notice of Award in place, Arkansas now has the authority to advance the BEAD Program from planning into implementation. This milestone allows the State to finalize subaward agreements, coordinate with providers and local communities, and complete readiness activities that position projects for efficient execution once construction begins.

The next formal step in the process is appropriation approval by the Arkansas General Assembly, which is required before funds can be expended. This step ensures continued transparency and oversight as the program moves forward. By maintaining a deliberate and structured sequence: federal approval, state appropriation, and disciplined execution, the Arkansas State Broadband Office is ensuring BEAD funds are deployed responsibly while keeping projects on track toward shovels in the ground in 2026.

🏛️ Learn more about the Arkansas General Assembly here.


Building with Confidence: Preparing Arkansas for 2026 Construction

With BEAD funding now formally secured, Arkansas is focused on ensuring a smooth and coordinated transition into construction. Throughout November and December, our team convened more than 20 regional meetings with local officials and provisional subgrantees across the State. These sessions were designed to facilitate early introductions, strengthen local awareness, and help accelerate project delivery once construction begins.

Discussions during these regional meetings focused on high-level project planning, local permitting processes, and coordination around utility locates, critical elements for keeping projects on schedule. By bringing providers and local leaders together early, Arkansas is laying the groundwork for efficient execution and minimizing avoidable delays. The Arkansas State Broadband Office will continue to take proactive measures to ensure projects move with a sense of urgency while also protecting taxpayer dollars.

⛏️ Learn more about Arkansas 811 and utility locates here.

Did You Know? Arkansas Reaches 89% Broadband Coverage

According to the Federal Communications Commission, Arkansas has now reached an 89% broadband coverage rate, representing a nearly 10-percentage-point increase over the past two years. Today, broadband service is available to approximately 98% of urban locations and 80% of rural locations statewide, marking meaningful progress in eliminating the digital divide.

Notably, rural broadband coverage alone has increased by nearly 20 percentage points in just two years, representing broadband access gains for more than 215,000 Arkansans living in rural communities. These advances reflect sustained investment through state and federal programs, combined with significant private capital deployment. With BEAD funding now secured, Arkansas is well positioned to finish the job.

Stay Connected

Stay connected with the latest updates on all things broadband in Arkansas! You can sign up here for updates, or connect with us through any of our social media channels linked below. You can also contact us directly via email at [email protected] or call the Arkansas Broadband Hotline at (501) 683-6000.

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