October Newsletter

October 14, 2025

A Message from the State Broadband Director

Dear Arkansas Broadband Stakeholder,

I’m pleased to share several exciting updates in this second monthly newsletter. Recently, our BEAD Program was featured on Arkansas Week on Arkansas PBS, highlighting how our market-driven, best-in-class approach serves as the state’s blueprint to achieve universal broadband access. You’ll also read about the 100% success rate of recent graduates from the University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana’s Fiber Optic Technician program, hosted at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.

Closer to home, our team at the Arkansas State Broadband Office is growing, with Noah Haynes and Ryan Henriksen joining the team. And finally, we highlight the pivotal role that Arkansas’ electric cooperatives have played in expanding broadband access—helping to bring the promise of reliable, high-speed internet to rural communities across the Natural State. You can read more, below.

Naturally connected,

Glen E. Howie, Jr.
Arkansas State Broadband Director

The Arkansas BEAD Program Featured on Arkansas Week

Director Howie recently joined Michael Hibblen on Arkansas Week on Arkansas PBS to discuss the Arkansas BEAD Program, its best-in-class approach to broadband deployment, and the tremendous economic impact universal connectivity will have on our state.

Arkansas is leading the nation with a competitive, market-driven program that is set to deliver broadband access to over 79,000 homes and businesses — strengthening our economy, creating jobs, and unlocking opportunities for every Arkansan.

🎥 You can catch the full episode here.

Fiber Optic Technician Graduates Achieve 100% Success

The University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana (UAHT) recently announced the successful graduation of its latest Fiber Optic Technician class hosted at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB). The program, offered through UAHT’s Industry Training Program, equips students with the technical knowledge and hands-on skills needed to meet the growing demand for high-speed broadband infrastructure across Arkansas and beyond.

This year’s class achieved a remarkable milestone—100% of students successfully passed the OpticPath Fiber Technician exam and will be awarded the nationally recognized Fiber Optic Technician Certification. The graduates are now prepared to enter the workforce in a rapidly expanding industry that is essential to connecting communities, supporting businesses, and driving innovation in the digital economy.

📰 You can read more here.


The Arkansas State Broadband Office Expands Our Team

The Arkansas State Broadband Office (ARConnect) welcomed back Noah Haynes as a full-time IT Infrastructure Analyst, following his prior service as an AmeriCorps member. In his new role, Noah will focus on permitting, data management, and stakeholder communication, supporting broadband infrastructure planning and helping to achieve statewide connectivity goals.

ARConnect also welcomed Ryan Henriksen, who joined as our new AmeriCorps member. A native of Sherwood, Arkansas, Ryan holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Economics from the University of Central Arkansas. He joins our team with a strong commitment to advancing Arkansas’ economic development.

Welcome, Noah and Ryan!

🌐 You can connect with Noah on LinkedIn here, and Ryan here.

Did You Know?

Arkansas’ electric cooperatives have played a major role in expanding broadband access, now reaching more than 1 million rural Arkansans in just seven years. With nearly 53,000 miles of fiber planned—41,000 miles already deployed—15 Arkansas cooperative fiber providers are equipped to serve Arkansans across 72 of the state’s 75 counties.

These efforts, backed by $1.66 billion in investment, are transforming communities by delivering gigabit-speed service on par with the fastest networks in the world. Additionally, nearly 80% of the cooperative fiber investment has been self-funded without grant subsidies.

📰 You can read more here.

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.

News & Updates