Arkansas Pushes to Close Its Rural Broadband Gap

A statewide effort to extend high-speed internet into rural Arkansas is reaching more homes than ever, officials say, though thousands of residents in remote areas still lack reliable service.

The push, funded by a mix of federal and state dollars, is running fiber lines to communities that internet providers long deemed too costly to serve. Officials said reliable broadband has become essential for schoolwork, telehealth, remote work, and running a farm or small business.

Progress has been uneven. Rugged terrain in the Ozarks and Ouachitas makes construction expensive and slow, and some households still rely on satellite or cellular connections that struggle with video and large files.

State leaders said closing the gap is a top priority, and that new mapping data is helping target the hardest-to-reach areas. Advocates urged sustained funding, warning that without it, rural Arkansas risks falling further behind in an increasingly digital economy.