MARCH 2021
THE MESSENGER A Publication for North Arkansas Electric Cooperative Members
NEXT awarded $27.5 million in auction North Arkansas Electric Cooperative’s fiber subsidiary NEXT was awarded $27.5 million in the recent Federal Communications Commission auction. The Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Phase I award will help NEXT bring gigabit internet to more unserved areas. “The past year has underscored the need for members to have access to the economic, educational and recreational benefits high-speed internet allows,” said Mel Coleman, CEO of NAEC and NEXT. “We know highspeed internet improves our members’ quality of life.” NEXT has reached more than 5,500 subscribers so far. Construction of the fiber-optic network continues throughout NAEC’s service area and is expected to be complete by the end of 2023. “NAEC was committed to the expansion of NEXT to all members even before being awarded the $22.6 million in the FCC’s Connect America Fund auction in 2018,” Coleman said. “This $27.5 million from RDOF only strengthens our position.”
During the RDOF auction, telecommunications companies bid on areas based on Census block groups. NEXT won 47. The more than 10,000 homes and businesses in those groups currently have access to internet download speeds of less than 25 Mbps. As with the CAF funding, NEXT will receive the $27.5 million over 10 years. The first payment is expected in late summer 2021. “NAEC and NEXT are not only bringing true gigabit internet to our communities but also injecting about $130 million into our economy,” Coleman said. The RDOF auction will award $9.2 billion to bring high-speed internet to 5.2 million unserved homes and businesses in the United States. Arkansas companies were awarded more than $424 million to serve more than 200,000 locations. Members can visit mynextfiber.com for more information on NEXT internet, television and phone services. As soon as construction nears completion in an area, NEXT mails those members a packet on how to subscribe.
Beware of scammers NAEC members regularly report being contacted by phone scammers. The usual ruse is to state your bill is overdue and the electricity will be disconnected if payment is not made immediately. Sometimes a person is on the line, and sometimes it is an automated message that ends encouraging the member to press a number to make a payment. Please note that scammers can manipulate caller ID to show the co-op’s name and number. NAEC does not threaten our members in this manner, and any communication regarding an outstanding balance first is communicated by letter. If you receive a suspicious-sounding call, hang up immediately. You always may call NAEC at 870-8953221 with any questions regarding your service.
Youth Tour goes virtual for 2021 The Youth Tour to Washington, D.C., was canceled for 2021, but NAEC and the state’s other electric cooperatives will provide a web-based opportunity for high school juniors in June. The experience will consist of: • Learning about electric cooperatives and the cooperative business model; • Hearing from lawmakers on Capitol Hill and the Arkansas State Capitol; • Hearing from Arkansas business, education and faith leaders on the pandemic; • Electing a Youth Leadership Council representative to represent Arkansas in NRECA’s YLC program; and • Learning how students could earn a $5,000 college scholarship by planning and executing an optional public service project in the local community. The virtual experience will be conducted via Zoom in a two-hour time slot each day June 18 and June 21-25. Download the application at naeci.com/youth-tour. It also is available through high school counselors’ offices. Applicants must be high school juniors, and their parents or guardians must be NAEC members. Deadline to apply is April 12. For more details, call 870-895-6210. NAEC’s winners each will receive a $250 scholarship after graduation.