This survey is over. Thank you for your participation.
Note: There is a very important broadband survey for Saline County residents at the bottom of this page.
By Keith Keck, June 17, 2020
Email from Keith Keck, Saline County Quorum Court Judge
Below is information regarding efforts to recruit another internet service provider for the Saline County portion of HSV. For the last six months, the POA and Saline County officials have worked this issue hard to reach the point of an ISP moving forward to survey the potential response for new broadband internet access across all of Saline County.
For HSV, this survey initiative is targeted for the unserved/underserved neighborhoods of HSV, like the northern section of Diamante, San Augustin, Binefar, Olmedo and Ladera.
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Email to Keck from Saline County Judge Jeff Arey
If you are receiving this email, it is because you are influential in Saline County, and I am asking for your help with something that I believe is important to our community. Technology is impacting every part of our lives in a rapidly changing world, from where and how we conduct work, to whether or not we thrive economically and socially. Technology and broadband can when available, improve and enhance the way we work and live. Having access to affordable and abundant broadband is quickly becoming the most critical infrastructure of our time, just like electricity, transportation, and roadways were early last century.
Last year Governor Hutchinson launched Arkansas Rural Connect (ARC) grant program designed to expand the broadband footprint in rural Arkansas communities. The ARC program will distribute at least $4.7 million in grants to partnerships between local governments and internet service providers. These grants will help close the business case to provide 25/3 Mbps broadband to areas that lack a reliable, high-speed connection. The Governor has pledged that more funds in the future will be coming.
Over the last few months, Saline County has been in discussions with internet service providers in hopes of finding a willing partner to help provide broadband to areas that lack that reliable, high-speed connection. One of those providers, Aristotle Unified Communication (AUC) is a broadband internet service and voice-over IP Phone system provider with headquarters in Little Rock. AUC currently serves the Central Arkansas Area, including the metropolitan area of Little Rock and surrounding communities. AUC is considering the expansion of its broadband network to include more communities in Saline County. [Click here to visit the AUC website.]
Would you please assist us by helping push out to the public a new market survey? I have prepared a brief narrative (See below) that includes the link to the survey that people can fill out online. If you could share this in an email blast, social media post, newspaper article, website posting, or any means that you have, it would be helpful. Please call me with any questions, and thank you in advance for your help.
Jeff Arey
Saline County Judge
200 North Main Street, Suite 117
Benton, Arkansas 72015
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Saline County is asking for your help in locating underserved broadband areas. Would you please assist by taking a brief moment to respond to this survey at the bottom of this page?
Saline County Government and Aristotle Unified Communications are working together in finding opportunities to expand broadband access in Saline County. Many parts of the County are underserved when it comes to having sufficient broadband internet access. Saline County is asking for your help in locating underserved areas. Would you please assist by taking a brief moment to respond to the following survey? By filling out this survey, you are not committing to purchasing any services. Personal information will be kept confidential and will not be disclosed. Click on the link below to access the survey. We appreciate your help!
Click here to take the survey.
By Keith Keck, June 17, 2020
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Tom Blakeman
06/17/2020 — 2:07 pm
We need more competition to help force the bigger carriers into better service, pricing and reliability. This may be a viable solution for some HSV users. However, there are two concerns that pop out immediately:
1. Why have an “executive session” to talk about this with POA board and then no details are revealed by the board (in today’s BOD meeting)? One can only assume that there will be money needing to be spent by the POA. That’s our money. Forget the grants and such when the word “partner” is being used.
2. There is nothing wrong with “fixed wireless” so long as:
a) Communication can actually be achieved between a tower and a users home. Currently many in HSV do not have a reliable wireless signal from any of the existing cellular towers. This means new towers. This is probably where the money part comes in. and;
b) Everyone understands that the speeds offered on this provider’s system are far below today’s ever increasing needs. This is sort of like saying that I can take my Model A Ford on I-30. Sure it may tool along ok and get me somewhere at 30 mph. But in today’s (and tomorrow’s) world it is an 80mph speed needed to keep up with the traffic.
Jason B
06/20/2020 — 3:35 pm
This would be a waste of time and hopefully not POA funds. These grants will help close the business case to provide 25/3 Mbps broadband to areas that lack a reliable, high-speed connection.
Seriously ? 25/3 is laughable and a definite OK Boomer. The year is 2020 and today’s market needs HIGH-SPEED. In the world of IOT (internet of Things) today and future demands require a 2020 solution.
Luckily we have Suddenlink. Terrible customer service but they have the product today’s market demands. I would recommend 400 Mbps and Unlimited Data.
Linda Anderson
07/18/2020 — 3:26 pm
Appears to be a lot of talk and no action concerning this issue when all that matters is working with a carrier that has good customer service, reliable internet service, no contract ( meaning you’re not locked in ) ,and best price negotiated for a community of 9,000-14,000 residents , with a minimum of 400 Mpbs and unlimited data which works great. Suddenlink has horrible customer service so that removes them from being acceptable -They have shown they can’t be trusted. That leaves AT&T, Dish or Verizon. There has been questions involving State grants that do not include private communities like HSV. Also, there was a discussion that Mr. John Cooper had the only rights to a cellular tower within HSV. This may have been a rumor. In any event, a ” HSV Internet Broadband Contract” could be an incentive for a carrier to make this happen and a reality if the POA decided to make it happan. Then every property owner could contact the appointed carrier with a discount code to receive internet service with a specified community discount which has enough capacity to stream for TV’s and computers. A Win-Win situation for All.