by Malcolm Butler
Ronny Walker likes to be No. 1.
Or at least No. 2.
The Ruston mayor took that into consideration when he and his staff made the decision five years ago to get out of the fiber business.
And late last week, the city did just that when it sold its fiber optic broadband network to RightFiber.
“Five years ago my staff and I made the strategic decision to get out of the fiber business,” said Walker. “My theory is we need to be first or second in everything we do. I knew with all the big boys in the fiber industry and with all the federal money … that would not be possible.”
RightFiber is a brand of Ritter Communications and is headquartered in Jonesboro, Arkansas. And according to the press release by the company, “Ritter Communications is proud to provide homes, schools and businesses in the Mid-South with advanced communications technology. For over 115 years, the company’s formula for success has been the relentless pursuit of delivering best-in-class technology paired with a world-class customer-focused experience.”
Walker said the sales price was $5 million and that the money would go straight into the city reserves, replenishing the money that was spent following the EF3 tornado that hit Ruston in 2019.
“It basically cost us $10 million following the tornado to get the city back up and running,” said Walker. “FEMA paid for about half of that. So this basically makes us whole again.”
Walker said that this would provide businesses and residents within the City of Ruston another choice for its internet services.
“That’s one of the main reasons we did this,” said Walker. “This has been a long excruciating process, but we finally got it done. RightFiber is a very very good company that has a reputation for being customer friendly and customer centered. We are excited they chose us.”
“We’re thrilled to bring RightFiber’s amazingly fast, hassle-free fiber internet service to the businesses and residents who make Ruston so special,” said Ritter Communications CEO Heath Simpson. “Great connectivity means more opportunities for families, students and business owners, and we’re proud to help fuel the creativity, innovation and growth that makes this community shine.”
According to the company press release, “RightFiber’s network is built with the highest-quality 100% fiber infrastructure, offering customers the latest broadband solutions that enhance connectivity and power the fastest speeds available – up to 5 Gig for homes and up to 100 Gig for businesses. RightFiber provides an unparalleled, world-class user experience and is engineered to be future-proof; capable of adapting to technological advances and evolving customer demands.”
Walker said that he isn’t 100 percent sure on the timeline .
“We signed all the paperwork Friday,” said Walker. “Now it’s just a matter of getting their people here.”
