WASHINGTON -- The Federal Communications Commission, which is looking for ways to increase high-speed Internet access, selected a Little Rock high-tech entrepreneur to serve on its new Broadband Deployment Advisory Committee.
Elizabeth Bowles, the president and chairman of the board of Aristotle Inc., was named to the committee Thursday.
Aristotle, which describes itself as a "full-service digital agency and broadband Internet Service Provider," offers wireless Internet services in central Arkansas and plans to expand into the Delta as well.
Bowles, the former president of the Wireless Internet Service Providers Association, was nominated for the committee by three Arkansans -- U.S. Rep. French Hill of Little Rock, U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton of Dardanelle and U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford of Jonesboro.
It will hold its first meeting April 21 in Washington.
"The intent of the committee is to discuss the ways to accelerate deployment of high-speed Internet access nationwide and to close the digital divide between urban and rural areas in America," Bowles said during an interview Thursday afternoon.
Affordable high-speed Internet access isn't a luxury, it's a necessity, she said.
"It is absolutely critical to this country and to Arkansas in specific, that these rural communities have access to broadband," she said. "I'm excited and I'm honored to be able to take part in it and I hope we'll be able to do some good."
In a written statement, Hill said he was pleased by Bowles' appointment.
"She has proven to have a deep understanding of the broadband industry and is a superb choice that will bring valuable insight to the council," he said. "As the owner of a Wireless Internet Service Provider (WISP) in Arkansas that serves both rural and urban clients across the Nation, I know she will be a great voice to help ensure rural America can compete on more equal footing for access to broadband."
In a written statement, Cotton also predicted that Bowles would be an effective committee member. "I know she will be a tireless advocate for Arkansas's broadband industry," he said.
Business on 04/07/2017