Connect2First claims 40 to 60 percent take rates for Arkansas fiber build

Connect2First has constructed 4,371 miles of fiber network across 18 Arkansas counties, and the internet service provider still has over 600 miles to go. Sales and Marketing Director Candace Looper said the company is seeing take rates between 40 and 60 percent in areas where service is already available. Connect2First is a wholly owned subsidiary of First Electric cooperative that provides fiber-to-the-home internet and home phone service to the coop’s members. Looper said that once completed, the entire network build will have taken a total investment of around $240 million, including funds from several government programs. To build its fiber network, Connect2First received $17.8 million from the Federal Communications Commission’s Rural Digital Opportunity Fund. It also received over $15 million in Arkansas’ Rural Connect Grant funds. Connect2First expects to serve 30,000 active customers once the buildout is completed.