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What is Connect Arkansas?

Connect Arkansas is a community-based, economic development initiative that is working to promote and foster the development of broadband education and high-speed Internet access in remote areas of Arkansas. Our mission is to help drive Arkansans to utilize the Internet thus increasing the demand.

So what is broadband?

Broadband is another term used for bandwidth - or the amount of data that can be sent through a connection - to access high-speed Internet. The more bandwidth you are able to access, the more information a user can send or receive at any given time.   

Why is that important to me?

Broadband allows citizens more affordable and more efficient access to basic amenities such as education, healthcare, public safety and government services by: Affording citizens the opportunity to participate in online learning and distance education; Giving entrepreneurs and small and home-based business owners with e-commerce business ideas the opportunity to compete alongside large corporations; Increasing the productivity and efficiency of businesses who have recognized the importance of Internet in business; Connecting patients in remote areas to healthcare services; Making government services more readily available to citizens; Saving companies and organizations money by letting employees telework; and Allowing friends and families to stay in touch with one another.

So how do I access Broadband?

You have several options for high speed Internet: Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) Cable Modem Fiber-Optic Cable (Fiber) Wireless Satellite.

That's Greek to me. Can you tell me the differences between my options?

Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) transmits data over traditional copper telephone lines already installed to homes and businesses. However, not all copper telephone lines are capable of transmitting data. Cable Modem services transmit data through the same coaxial cables that generate pictures and sounds from someone's TV set. Fiber-Optic Cable (Fiber) converts to light electrical signals carrying data and sends the light through transparent glass fibers about the diameter of a human hair. Fiber transmits data at speeds much faster than DSL or cable, typically by tens or even hundreds of Mbps. Wireless can be mobile or fixed. Fixed wireless involves the wireless transmission of data from a local antenna to a permanent location such as a home or business. The service is similar to what is delivered over DSL or a cable modem, but the transmission is wireless. Mobile wireless connects users who are in temporary locations, such as coffee shops. Mobile broadband is transmitted through technologies such as portable modems and mobile phones. Satellite is another form of wireless that is useful in providing Internet access in remote areas.

I am online with dial-up; why should high-speed matter to me?

Broadband speed is important because it allows for faster transmission of data. Data is transmitted digitally into "bits" of data. The faster the speed with which you access the information, the faster you can download or upload information. The Federal Communications Commission defines basic broadband as transmission speeds of at least 4 megabits per second (Mbps), or 4,000,000 bits per second, downstream (from the Internet to the user's computer) and 1 megabits per second upstream (from the user's computer to the Internet). Slower speeds, such as dial-up, run at 56 kilobits per second and cannot transmit data as quickly.

Now that we have the techy stuff out of the way, how are you doing this?

Several ways, actually.
e-Communities: Connect's e-Communities initiative facilitates community strategic planning and implementation beginning at the county level.  This will help county leaders to be informed and ready to discuss the practical and financial realities of high-speed Internet deployment with needs expressed throughout the community.

Mapping: An important step in facilitating high-speed Internet access is to create an understanding of local needs. By mapping the state’s existing broadband infrastructure, Connect Arkansas provides a level of detail that was previously not available in Arkansas. These maps show where access is available, and more importantly, where there is no Internet access in remote areas. With this information, broadband providers can strategically optimize their network deployment plans and communities can further their Information Technology planning initiatives.

Although we enjoy extensive cooperation with the vendor community in Arkansas, we still rely on the consumer to verify our mapping results. This also arms providers with the necessary information to plan for possible future deployments of broadband into areas they may not currently be active in.

Help us verify our mapping results by using the Connect Arkansas Interactive Map. The map includes easy-to-follow instructions on use and forms for you to fill out without having to back track to the Connect Arkansas main site.

Relevancy through programs:

Computers for Kids: Connect Arkansas received federal stimulus dollars to increase broadband internet awareness, education, and use in Arkansas. One way of accomplishing this is by providing low-cost, refurbished computers for school children in Arkansas schools who do not currently have access to a computer in their home. We have a limited supply of refurbished computers for sale in each of 57 counties in Arkansas in which Connect is currently funded to operate. Connect has partnered with the Little Rock School District to make these computers available for $88.00 to students.

Computers will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis. All computers are Internet ready, have been refurbished by students of the Little Rock School District vocational tech class, and are in like-new condition. Purchaser will be responsible for shipping & handling and all applicable taxes. For more information on this dynamic program, go to the Computers for Kids page on this site. (link)

e-Commerce Entrepreneurship Education: Connect is by providing no-cost, hands-on training opportunities to students in Arkansas schools who have little or no experience in creating a business idea or business plan, and bringing their ideas to the online commerce world. Entrepreneurs and small business owners today have a myriad of tools at their disposal to help grow their business. These tools are creating increased global competition, as markets are no longer limited by geography, but rather wide open to those willing to enter them. Connect Arkansas will come to your classroom and teach a series of dynamic training lessons designed to educate students on the importance of Internet in business and provide the skills needed to start an Internet business. Students in grades 7 -12 will receive hands-on training with iPads and web-based content management tools to turn ideas into a functional online business website. For more information on this program and the importance of Internet in business, go to the e-Commerce Entrepreneurship Education page.