Aristotle Awarded $69 Million to Deliver Fiber Broadband to Rural Arkansas Communities

August 25, 2025 

Today, the Arkansas State Broadband Office released the state’s final proposal for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. Aristotle Unified Communications Inc has been preliminarily selected to receive $69 million to deliver broadband services to 9,418 unserved rural locations. 

“Arkansas ran an efficient, transparent, and fair BEAD process, and we are pleased to have participated and especially to have been given the opportunity to bring world-class fiber broadband to unserved communities,” said Aristotle CEO, Elizabeth Bowles. “Aristotle’s commitment to ensuring all communities have access to high-speed broadband internet dates back to the company’s founding in August of 1995. The BEAD projects will augment Aristotle’s existing network in the Arkansas Delta and enable us to expand our footprint into new areas that lack broadband.  Aristotle deploys secure networks that are capable of scaling to meet future demand. We can’t think of a better way to celebrate our 30th anniversary than to bring cutting-edge broadband technology to rural Arkansas.” 

Aristotle has received preliminary awards designated for 18 projects in 12 counties and expects construction to begin once the BEAD awards are finalized. Once complete, the network will deliver gigabit fiber broadband internet to residents, businesses, and community anchor institutions. 

The BEAD program is designed to enable universal broadband coverage, and Arkansas’ program will ensure that every home and business in the state will have access to reliable, high-speed internet. 

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