Gigabit Internet Access Coming to South Arkansas

Ouachita Electric Cooperative and South Arkansas Telephone form ARIS to bring Gigabit Internet Speeds to Southern Arkansas Communities

Camden, Arkansas (PRWEB) June 16, 2016

Ouachita Electric Cooperative (OECC) and South Arkansas Telephone (SATCO) have formed a new company called ARIS to bring gigabit internet service to over thousands of homes and businesses in south Arkansas.

ARIS plans to start delivering services to customers in September 2016, with the goal of reaching all of 9500 homes and businesses of the OECC membership with fiber optic network services over the next three (3) years. The initial packages will include options for: Gigabit Internet services, video services with options for up to 70 channels, and digital voice with unlimited local and long distance.

"In the 1920's and 1930's it was the electric cooperatives that brought electricity to rural America, today we're working to bring better access to the internet. This partnership leverages the strengths of both companies. By working together we can better serve our customers as well as our communities and the region. Companies looking to move to South Arkansas can know that they can get the same level of connectivity services they get in large metropolitan areas" states Mark Cayce, General Manager of OECC.

"We're adding Camden and Hampton, Arkansas to the list of gigabit cities that includes Austin, Dallas, Chattanooga, Chicago, Kansas City and Nashville. These services will be transformative for not only our customers but for our region as well. SATCO believes in partnerships with other entities to help drive economic development for southern Arkansas." said Mark Lundy Director of SATCO.

"In 2010 SATCO engaged in a public-private partnership with the Arkansas Research and Education Optical Network (ARE-ON) to maximize a federal Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) grant and installed a new 300-mile fiber optic artery across southern Arkansas. The partnership with ARE-ON enabled SATCO to expand and connect with OECC to provide gigabit internet service to some of the most rural areas of the region." states Mr. Lundy.

OECC members looking to sign up or get more information about the services and packages should go to http://www.arisark.us or call 877-252-4538.

About OECC:
Ouachita Electric Cooperative serves approximately 9,500 members in Bradley, Calhoun, Dallas, Nevada and Ouachita counties. Incorporated in 1939, the cooperative is based in Camden with a district office in Hampton. The locally owned and managed organization has 39 employees.

For more information contact Mark Cayce 870-675-7026 or visit http://www.oecc.com

About SATCO:
SATCO is a family owned and operated communication provider that has been serving customers since 1916. Starting as a local telephone provider for this area, SATCO has increased its services over the years to give South Arkansas the state of the art digital communication solutions it needs today. SATCO's voice, video and broadband internet access services keep South Arkansans informed, entertained and connected. And it's all with provided with the hometown pride and friendly service you'd expect from people who are your neighbors.

For more information please visit http://www.sat-co.net or call 866-798-2201

For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2016/06/prweb13486369.htm