north arkansas electric cooperative edition
Operation Round Up® scholarships given to 18 recent graduates The North Arkansas Electric Cooperative Board of Directors has approved the expansion of NEXT’s fiber-to-the-home network to all of the cooperative’s territory. NAEC formed the telecommunications subsidiary NEXT, Powered by NAEC in November 2015 to provide internet with speeds of up to one gigabit to three pilot areas in Baxter and Fulton counties. “The pilot project was a great success,” CEO Mel Coleman said. “We exceeded our goal of subscribers, and many have shared with us the benefits true broadband internet has brought to their families and businesses.” NAEC serves more than 36,600 member accounts across almost 5,000 miles of line. NEXT internet as well as phone and television services should reach all of them in approximately five years. The fiber-to-the-home network will be built in phases. Work is under way to determine which areas will be included in Phase Two. Potential subscribers in Phase Two will be mailed a packet on NEXT’s services once they can subscribe. “We hear daily from members wanting high-speed internet and the economic and educational benefits it can bring,” Coleman said. “We are excited to be our members’ local source for reliable, affordable broadband internet moving forward.” As NEXT construction progresses, check www.naeci.com/next and www.facebook.com/NEXTbyNAEC for updates.
NEXT, Powered by NAEC Internet Basic (Up to 100 Mbps)
$49.95
Advanced (Up to 1 Gbps)
$79.95
NEXT offers unlimited data with no throttling. Download and upload speeds are the same. Prices above are for residential subscribers. Prices and packages are subject to change.
22
AUGUST 2018
NORTH ARKANSAS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
IMAGES: CHRIS HICKMAN; ISTOCK/THE_CORNER
NEXT fiber expanding to all NAEC members
The member-supported Operation Round Up® program awarded 18 scholarships to recent high school graduates. Receiving a $1,000 scholarship to attend Arkansas State University-Mountain Home are: Matty Dillard, Norfork High School; Megan Hiles, Calico Rock High School; and Destiny White, Viola High School. Receiving a $1,000 scholarship to attend Ozarka College are: Mesa Barger, Melbourne High School; Abigail Brindley, Mammoth Spring High School; and Abby Greer, Salem High School. Receiving a $1,000 scholarship to attend the university of their choosing are: Jared Alexander, Mammoth Spring High School; Sydney Brown, Calico Rock High School; Ragan Burris, Highland High School; Lenise Byrd, Izard County Consolidated High School; Alexa Darracq, Mountain Home High School; Caleb Davis, Calico Rock High School; Luke Foreman, Mountain Home High School; Hope Menendez, Mountain Home High School; Katelynn Miller, Highland High School; Elizabeth Pounds, Cave City High School; Allison Shands, Cave City High School; and Sydnie Zimmer, Mountain Home High School.