Ritter Communications completes $12.5 million network upgrade in NEA, Tennessee

Ritter Communications has completed a $12.5 million fiber-rich network upgrade affecting numerous rural communities across Northeast Arkansas and western Tennessee, bringing residential customers the company’s fastest 1-gigabit Internet.

“With more devices per household, and more devices per person, faster speeds are necessary to meet the unique needs of each customer,” said Ritter Communications CEO Alan Morse. “Part of our ‘Right by You’ commitment is doing right by our customers, and that is what this upgrade is all about. Ritter Communications works to ensure our customers have high-quality broadband services that give them access to the things they need to work, learn and live.”

The upgrade undertaken by Ritter Communications was a comprehensive overhaul of the company’s network that will affect 45 communities. The nearly 24,000 residential Internet customers benefitting from this upgrade will experience improved network quality and security, signal strength, and a better wall-to-wall WiFi experience.

The upgrade was intended to be a three-year project with initial construction starting in February 2021. However, the upgrade was completed ahead of schedule in the fall of 2022. This upgrade integrates the industry’s most advanced technology with existing infrastructure to expand access which furthers Ritter Communications commitment to bridging the digital divide and improving the quality of life for residents and communities.

“This upgrade demonstrates Ritter Communications’ commitment to providing competitive industry-leading internet services while putting the customer experience first,” said Ritter Communication VP of Hometown Services Bob Mouser. “Through this fiber-rich investment, we are bringing speeds faster than most devices are even capable of using at this time, enabling us to build beyond our current needs as we look to the future.”