With an ever-increasing necessity for access to data infrastructure in Arkansas, it is essential for the state to utilize all available resources to build a stable and efficient information network for our public schools. Three years ago, the Arkansas Legislature passed a bill that was intended to regulate the use of the Arkansas Research Education Optical Network, also known as ARE-ON. However, it now appears that having the option to access ARE-ON may be the only feasible way for some school districts to obtain the bandwidth and content needed to keep up with an ever-changing educational landscape.

For these reasons, the Department of Information Systems supports Governor Beebe's call to legislatively restore K-12 access to ARE-ON. This will allow these districts to examine whether ARE-ON is a viable and affordable resource for the broadband needs of their schools and students.