Columbia County seeks higher-speed Internet service

By The Associated Press

MAGNOLIA — Columbia County residents seeking Internet service with high speeds say they are having trouble finding affordable options.

Columbia County Forward, an affiliate of Connect-Arkansas, conducted a town hall meeting Thursday for residents wanting faster service. Jerome Warner, who lives just outside Magnolia, said he was told service via a satellite link could run $80 to $90 a month.

Mark Peterson, a specialist with the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, said companies will not provide services if they don't see a huge demand in an area. Maps provided at the meeting showed that 77 percent of Columbia County residents have access to broadband Internet service - less than the state average.

For more information see Saturday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.