Aristotle wins $12.2 million FCC rural broadband award

The Federal Communications Commission announced that Little Rock-based Aristotle Unified Communications won a $12.2 million award to deploy broadband in historically unserved rural areas.

Aristotle is one of 103 providers nationwide to win an award in the FCC’s Connect America Fund (CAF) Phase II auction.

The broadband and internet telecom said it will use the $12.2 million award to deliver broadband into rural areas of Arkansas, Mississippi, Missouri, and Oklahoma.

“Throughout its 25 years in business, Aristotle has been committed to bringing broadband connectivity to rural communities,” said Aristotle President Elizabeth Bowles. “This award will facilitate more rapid deployment of broadband into areas such as the Arkansas Delta that have historically been overlooked by phone companies and large broadband providers.”

The Connect America Fund Phase II auction is part of a broader commitment by the FCC to improve the state of broadband in rural America. Funding guidelines require that providers build out 40% of the awarded areas by the third year and that 100% of the awarded locations be completed by the sixth year following the award.

Aristotle Unified Communications is an Internet Service Provider (ISP) and Voice-Over-IP Phone systems provider with headquarters in Little Rock.