RightFiber to acquire Ruston fiber network
The city of Ruston has agreed in principle to sell its fiber optic broadband network to the Jonesboro, Arkansas, company RightFiber.
In a press release issued Thursday, RightFiber said it expects to close the transaction in the first quarter of 2025. Financial terms of the pending sale were not released.
RightFiber, part of Ritter Communications, will continue serving the city’s approximately 300 business customers. The city doesn’t offer residential service.
“This acquisition represents our commitment to delivering future- proof technology to Ruston’s thriving community and expands our company’s operations into the vibrant northern Louisiana area,” Ritter Communications CEO Heath Simpson. “We plan to expand our 100% fiber network not only within the business community but to Ruston residential neighborhoods as well, positioning the area as a regional broadband leader and making it a gigabit city.”
City officials said in February they wanted to get out of the fiber business. They said they wantwhat’sbestforRuston residents, and selling the system to someone with experience and who’s willing to expand service to residential customers seems like the right thing to do.
RightFiber fits that bill, Mayor Ronny Walker said.
“RightFiber’s personal approach and futureminded vision set them apart as a service provider. As a dedicated municipal partner, RightFiber is invested in the success and growth of our community,” Walker said.
Ruston built the network in 2010 and acts as internet service provider to approximately 300 business customers. While the city owns the network, an existing agreement allows a third party, currently Uniti Fiber, to use half of the fiber strands to provide communication services to designated schools around the city.
Several years ago, Ruston considered constructing and operating a new fiber optic broadband network that would allow it to offer residential internet service.
That was after a survey done in October 2020 found upwards of 70% of respondents said they support the idea of Ruston bringing a new fiber network. The majority also said they would definitely buy service from a new network.
But now that Louisiana is set to receive millions of dollars in federal funds to help private providers improve broadband services to underserved areas, like Ruston, and unserved areas, like other communities in Lincoln Parish, it’s no longer feasible for the city to try to expand its network, Walker said in an earlier interview.
That’s when the city decided it would look for suitors.
“The city of Ruston has taken proactive steps in planning for the growing need for top-tier fiber broadband,” Ritter Communications CRO Kyle Keith said. “ The decision to engage with RightFiber demonstrates their strategic foresight even further, which is focused on the growth and prosperity of their residents. We’re honored to support the economic growth of this community.”
