Ritter Communications awarded grant to improve high-speed internet in rural Crittenden County

$ 5.2 million project aimed at increasing connectivity in underserved communities

Ritter Communications CRITTENDEN COUNTY — Ritter Communications, the largest privately held telecommunications service provider in the Mid-South, has been awarded a rural broadband installation grant for Crittenden County by the Arkansas Legislative Council. The grant, totaling approximately $5.2 million, is made available through the Arkansas Rural Connect (ARC) program and funded by the American Rescue Plan. It helps finance projects that will improve high-speed broadband internet access for Crittenden County residents in Clarkedale, Crawfordsville, Edmondson, Horseshoe Lake, Jennette and Midway Corner.

“Ritter Communications is proud to be partnering with communities across the state in our commitment to bridge the digital divide in Arkansas, and we're very excited to add the communities of Crittenden County to that growing list of partnerships,” said Ritter Communications CEO Alan Morse. “Access to quality high-speed internet is vital for all Arkansans.

We're glad to have an opportunity to lift up these communities by bringing the unmatched quality of our products and services to local residents.”

Residents will have access to high-speed broadband internet services from RightFiberTM, a new residential service by Ritter Communications, using future-proof 100% fiber technology to deliver highquality internet, TV and phone at the fastest gigabit speeds available to serviceable homes. Several expansion projects funded in part by similar grants are already underway across the state with more markets scheduled to come on in the weeks ahead. More communities will have access to RightFiber'sTM symmetrical one gigabit speed offering the fastest, highest performing service available as progress continues. The company's growing infrastructure network will sustain anticipated market growth and bandwidth demand – positioning Ritter Communications as the only 10 gigabits fiber-tothe- home (FTTH) provider in Arkansas through the RightFiberTM network.

“Additional bandwidth requirements and advances in the devices and technology customers use are coming,” said Jeff Chapman, RightFiber General Manager. “The network we are building today will fulfill the needs of tomorrow and years to come.”

Residents interested in engaging RightFiber services can visit RightFiber.com to proactively submit a form

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Photo courtesy of Ritter Communications RITTER (cont.)

come on in the weeks ahead. More communities will have access to RightFiber'sTM symmetrical one gigabit speed offering the fastest, highest performing service available as progress continues. The company's growing infrastructure network will sustain anticipated market growth and bandwidth demand – positioning Ritter Communications as the only 10 gigabits fiber-tothe- home (FTTH) provider in Arkansas through the RightFiberTM network.

“Additional bandwidth requirements and advances in the devices and technology customers use are coming,” said Jeff Chapman, RightFiber General Manager. “The network we are building today will fulfill the needs of tomorrow and years to come.”

Residents interested in engaging RightFiber services

can visit

RightFiber.com to proactively submit a form expressing interest in the service. This will help Ritter Communications streamline home activations once service is available.

Ritter Communications is a regional telecommunications provider, headquartered in Jonesboro, Arkansas serving over 106 communities in the region across four states with a full suite of innovative communications services.

Learn more at RitterBusiness.com or RightFiber.com.

Ritter Communications is the largest privately held telecommunications service provider in the Mid-South, offering world-class broadband fiber, telecom, video, cloud and data services.

The company has grown rapidly over the years, investing millions recently in technology infrastructure and is now serving over 106 communities with more than 45,000 business, residential and wholesale customers in Arkansas, Texas, Missouri and Tennessee. Headquartered in Jonesboro, Arkansas, Ritter Communications invests heavily in the communities it serves by deploying proven, best-inclass infrastructure and technology, while coupling it with a world-class customer- focused experience.

For more information visit, RitterBusiness.com or RightFiber.com.