Editor’s note: Lisa Mills, a reporter for The Grand Prairie Herald, is the author of this story.

February’s Prairie County Quorum Court focused on changes to the county’s internet service, which is expected to produce significant savings on a monthly basis.

Members met Tuesday (Feb. 10) and heard a presentation from Brandon Foster, owner of River Valley Technology, the company setting up new broadband services for county offices.

Judge Lawrence Holloway introduced Foster, who explained the service transfer from existing provider Nitel to new provider Brightspeed. The service with Nitel, which just expired, was costing the county $5,400 a month.  The new service with Brightspeed will cost $800 per month. 

Foster said the new service will be high-speed fiber, which should provide more reliable connections and faster service. Orders have been placed for the Des Arc courthouse and annex, and the sheriff’s department.

The next installation will be changing DeValls Bluff from copper to fiber and cancelling the DSL service.  The DeValls Bluff courthouse will have to stay on DSL until fiber is run there, but it is expected to be converted by June.

The final wave of installation will take place when the contract expires with the current phone vendor.  With the new internet, the wireless infrastructure will not be needed. This should make it possible to add the County Health Department and County Attorney’s office to the service.

Justice Gary King asked Foster if he would be updating the county phone services to which he replied he will be looking for something at a better price. Justice Rick Stallings asked Foster how the new service will protect sensitive information. Foster said that everything is encrypted and as safe as possible. Justice Paul Hooks asked Foster about price increasing with Brightspeed. Foster said he will always let the county know if there are cheaper options.