Kinetic by Windstream says that it will expand coverage in the Texarkana region – which spans Arkansas and Texas – in three steps going forward.
The expansion will be on both sides of the state borders. The next phase of the buildout will bring fiber to 35% of residents. By the end of next year, half will have fiber and, by the end of 2023, 65% will be reached.
“Kinetic is a proud partner to the city and residents of Texarkana, and we are dedicated to delivering fast broadband speed, at competitive rates with unmatched service,” Kinetic president Jeff Small said in a press release. “As this fiber is delivered, Texarkana more than ever will be able to count on Kinetic for fast and reliable connections.”
Kinetic by Windstream, a business unit of Windstream Holdings, offers service in 18 states. The company is in the midst of a $2 billion investment program. It says that it has added almost 1,000 internal engineering and fiber construction positions.
The company ended the first quarter with net additions of about 13,000 broadband subscribers based on the enablement of 129,000 customer locations. The goal is to drive fiber deeper into rural communities and, by the end of the year, to reach more than 1 million homes and SMBs with fiber-based connections. Last year, Windstream had a net gain of about 60,000 broadband customers.
Texarkana is a hot area in ways besides the climate. In June 2020, Ritter Communications said it had made a $20 million investment in and around the city. Of that total, $12 million is for a transport route along I-30 to get service to Texarkana and $4 million to build out business service within the city. The service provider offers XGS-PON service which has 10 Gbps capability.
