Businesses Look More to Reliability, Flexibility of Fiber Optics

A major factor behind the divide between internet access in rural regions compared to urban areas has been the expense of providing high-speed internet in areas where customers are widely spread out.

The state’s first internet service provider, Aristotle Unified Communications, works to bring broadband internet to areas that have been traditionally overlooked.

“Our network currently covers 14 counties in the Arkansas Delta and central Arkansas, including Arkansas, Desha, Drew, Lee, Lonoke, Monroe, Prairie, Saline and St. Francis counties, as well as portions of Pulaski County and Little Rock,” said Aristotle CEO Elizabeth Bowles. “Aristotle’s network covers 33,000 households in 14 counties in Arkansas and portions of Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma and Illinois.”

Aristotle signed up its first dial-up customer and launched its first website on Aug. 15, 1995, at a time when the internet was brand new. Initially, many people questioned the need for internet services, but now most people cannot imagine how they ever managed without it.

“The internet moved from being a luxury to a necessity,” Bowles said. “Not even 10 years ago, there was an intractable
20 percent of Americans who didn’t think they needed or wanted internet access. This changed with the [COVID-19] pandemic, when many services could only be accessed by those who could get online. When work, school and other opportunities moved to an online environment, the disparity in access between those in urban areas and those living in rural communities became stark. For example, children in the Delta did not have the same access to education as children living in urban centers, and elderly patients did not have access to non-critical medical services as clinics shuttered due to COVID-19.”

In 2020, Aristotle moved quickly to meet this need by using $31 million in CARES Act funding through the Arkansas Rural Connect grant program to deploy a hybrid fiber-fixed wireless network to nine counties and five cities in the Arkansas Delta. Bowles said Aristotle accomplished this deployment in less than 10 months despite being told that would be impossible.

“We are proud that we were able to bring connectivity to thousands of rural residents who otherwise would be unserved even today,” she said.

Overall, the price for internet service is coming down, although Bowles said it may be more accurate to say that consumers can now get higher speeds for the same price. Even so, she sees a need in lower-income communities for assistance affording internet services. Until recently, providers could offer lower-income households a $30-per-month discount through the Affordable Connectivity Program.

“Unfortunately, the ACP program expired at the end of April, stranding households nationwide that otherwise cannot afford broadband,” Bowles said. “Because the majority of Aristotle’s network covers persistent poverty counties, we are keenly aware of the need for ACP to continue. We have been working with the [Federal Communications Commission], as well as our congressmen and senators, to pass legislation that will extend this much-needed program.”

Although Aristotle has never had data caps, data caps are still in use industry wide — particularly with mobile and satellite services — but most federal programs require those caps to be sufficiently generous so as to not interfere with the way customers normally use the internet.

The internet is now being used for multiple applications that were unimagined in the past. Who knows what additional functions will be developed in the future?

“What is clear is that the need for high-quality broadband services will only increase,” Bowles said. “Currently, through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the federal government has allocated $42 billion specifically for broadband
deployment, of which Arkansas will receive more than $1 billion. These funds, which will be distributed as grants to companies like Aristotle to serve households that currently do not have access to the internet, will provide fiber-to-the-home services to every unserved Arkansan. While the money is often referred to as ‘once in a generation’ funding, the truth is that the need for additional funding — to sustain the as-built networks, for digital literacy and for upgrades to network infrastructure — will be ongoing.”

Fiber is undeniably the gold standard in internet technology, said Lori Haight, director of markets for Hot Springs-based HyperFiber.

“It is like a firehose of data from the world directly to your home, unlike traditional cable connections or DSL, whose bandwidth is restricted,” Haight said. “Their pipe is not as big or clean as fiber optic. Technologies such as satellite or wireless rely on antenna and receiver technology. Fiber-optic internet transmits data using light pulses through hair-thin glass or plastic strands. This equates to data being transferred at nearly the speed of light, providing unrivaled speed and bandwidth.

“Fiber also means faster, symmetrical speeds for download and upload. Incumbent technology is not symmetrical. Symmetrical means a more seamless connection experience, whether you’re streaming, gaming, browsing or getting work done from home. Think of it this way: you can download a two-hour, high-definition movie in seconds, compared to waiting
30 minutes or more over a 20 Mbps traditional internet service.”

Haight said fiber also offers users low latency for a lag-free, responsive internet experience, which is especially important today when users need instantaneous responses for work, school or entertainment. Cable and DSL connections may also suffer from signal degradation over long distances.

“Fiber, and more specifically, HyperFiber’s all-fiber optic network, maintains its performance regardless of your location,” Haight said. “Lastly, fiber tends to be more environmentally friendly. Fiber optic cables are inherently more energy-efficient than traditional copper or coaxial cables. The infrastructure for fiber is thus more technologically advanced and eco-friendly. When fiber is laid underground, the network is protected from service disruptions caused by weather and other environmental factors. This means fewer outages for consumers.”

Haight said it is an exciting time to be in the rapidly evolving world of telecommunications. Technological advancements such as 4K resolution and artificial intelligence are driving the demand for more bandwidth.

“Increasing demand for high-speed connectivity is revolutionizing how we communicate and interact,” Haight said. “As a company, HyperFiber recognizes the significance of this era. We are witnessing a transformative period where innovations in connectivity are shaping the future. The ability to connect people globally and deliver faster, more reliable internet services has tremendous potential for various industries, from health care to education to entertainment.”

Haight said the company is proud to contribute to the landscape by providing reliable high-speed fiber optic internet solutions. She predicted these advancements in the telecommunications industry will continue to empower individuals and businesses alike by unlocking new possibilities and driving economic growth.

“We are dedicated to staying at the forefront of these rapid changes and ensuring that our customers can take full advantage of the opportunities presented by this dynamic telecommunications era,” Haight said.

Based on recent research and industry reports, there is evidence that fiber internet prices have been experiencing a downward trend in some regions. The decreasing cost of fiber optic technology and increased competition among service providers have contributed to this trend.

“As more providers expand their fiber infrastructure and consumer demand grows, prices become more competitive,” she said. “Additionally, the expansion of fiber infrastructure across the country has led to greater accessibility, creating a more competitive marketplace. This increased competition can drive providers to offer more competitive pricing models to attract and retain customers.”

However, Haight cautioned that it is important to note that pricing trends can vary based on geographic location and the specific service providers in each area. Factors such as market competition, local regulations and the cost of infrastructure development can  also influence pricing fluctuations.

“At HyperFiber, we believe in delivering a future-proof, simple product at simple pricing,” Haight said. “We want to make it easy for customers to clearly understand the benefits of what they’re getting by switching to fiber. In a sea of cable internet providers all vying for attention, we want HyperFiber to be the last internet decision a consumer will ever need to make.

“We are a hassle-free provider. Our only product is fast, reliable fiber internet. In an era where the internet supports much of our daily life, from health care, employment, education, entertainment and remaining connected to those in our lives, a high-speed, reliable internet connection is a necessity. In recent years, access to the internet has been increasingly seen as a fundamental right, akin to water or electricity.”

However, not all internet is the same. Haight said fiber broadband, with its unmatched speed and bandwidth, is much more capable of supporting remote workers and students who need instantaneous responses with zero lag time, no matter where they are located. People and businesses often depend on access to high-speed, quality connections to maintain a livelihood.

Telehealth and telemedicine are also on the rise after the pandemic proved the technologies’ efficacy. However, a portion of the U.S. population, particularly in rural areas, does not have access to fiber broadband internet. AARP reports that number to be at least 20 percent of rural residents. Haight said ISPs, government agencies and community stakeholders are working toward ensuring rural populations of the U.S. have access to high-speed fiber internet connectivity which, in today’s world, is essential for many Americans.

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