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Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

What is NEXT Powered by NAEC

NEXT is a subsidiary of North Arkansas Electric Cooperative that provides fiber-to-the-home services of internet, TV, and phone to all members in our coverage area.

Why are you providing these services?

Much of our service territory is without the ability to have broadband internet, which the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) defines as 25Mbps download speed and 3Mbps upload speed. In 2016, North Arkansas Electric Cooperatives’ Board of Directors approved a plan to bring internet, television, and phone fiber services to all their members.

What services will NEXT, Powered by NAEC be offering?

  • Internet
  • Television
  • Telephone

Do I have to be a North Arkansas Electric Cooperative Member to receive service?

In MOST (not all) cases, yes. NEXT, Powered by NAEC is a separate company, although a subsidiary of North Arkansas Electric Cooperative. We are committed to serving the NAEC members. Each fiber drop that runs to a non-member is a case-by-case basis and will be determined to not have a detrimental impact on our members.

What areas will you service?

The areas we are targeting are the physical areas that North Arkansas Electric Cooperative currently serves. You can see the areas we plan to service by clicking the "Zones" link located at the top of this page.

Who can get NEXT Fiber?

Click Here to see our currently planned construction. 

Can I call to sign up?

You may certainly call our offices. However, you might consider signing up electronically, as we want to make this process as convenient as possible for our potential subscribers. Should you decide to call our offices, we will either mail or email documentation to you. Or you may download the documentation (requires a PDF reader) directly below:

Application/Contract for FTTH Service
NEXT Service Sign-up Sheet

Please note: A 12-month contract is required to justify building the fiber services to your home, so we must receive the signed documentation before installation at your home can begin.

How long will it take for services to be available to ALL members?

We are estimating five years at this time. Our goal is to complete all construction by December 31, 2023. We have approximately 36,000 individual customer accounts and almost 5,000 miles of fiber to install. We are working very hard to meet our construction goals but will not sacrifice quality by cutting corners.

How will I know if I'm eligible for services?

Click Here to see if your address is available for service or if you are in the most current planning phase.

When will you be building at my house?

We started construction in the spring of 2017 in our Service Area and we plan our construction 18-20 months ahead. As we determine each phase, these maps are loaded into our website. Click Here so you can determine our timeline to your location.

I’m building a new house. What do I need to do to prepare for NEXT, Powered by NAEC?


If you’re building or remodeling a family room or home that will include NEXT services or other high-end electronics, now is the time to install the proper wiring to support them. Installing high-capacity, high-grade wiring, and cable during the building or remodeling phase – while the walls are accessible – can save you big bucks down the road.

Use Category 5E (Cat-5 Enhanced) or Category 6 twisted-pair wire for television, voice, and data transmissions.

We recommend running all cabling from each spot where a phone, television, computer or router will be located to a central hub preferably in the center of the home. Also, consider if you will be putting in internet ready TV’s. You may also want to run an additional wire for the internet on the TV (wired connections are recommended where possible over wireless, especially if you have a lot of devices in your home). Do not run the CAT5 next to the power wire or over any fluorescent lights – keep it at least 6 inches away. It’s not shielded like coax, so interference from those two sources could disrupt your signal.

What if I rent my Residence?

You’ll need permission from your landlord to have the installation performed.

Are there taxes on these services?


Yes, but only on telephone. NEXT, Powered by NAEC is required, by law, to add any applicable franchise fees or required local taxes for all services; as well as federal, state and E911 fees for the phone service.


Internet Services

What is fiber optic technology and what’s so special about it?

Fiber optic systems use bursts of light sent through thin glass fibers to transmit information, resulting in much faster speeds than traditional copper lines. Most internet providers use fiber in their systems but use copper lines for the final connection to the home, resulting in slower speeds. NEXT, Powered by NAEC will bring fiber all the way into your home, giving you access to download and upload speeds up to one gigabit.

What internet speeds will be available?

100Mbps and 1Gbps with no data caps. With the technology we are deploying, there is no difference in upload/download speeds. Download traffic is when you are saving something from the internet to your computer (movies, documents, songs). Upload traffic is when you are saving something from your computer to somewhere on an internet site (pictures to Shutterfly, files to Google drive, etc). The goal for this technology deployment is to provide the amount of bandwidth you need so you can get to whatever on the internet whenever you want to.

Many service providers have a data usage limit with overage charges, we offer unlimited data at the speeds listed above.

What plans and prices do you have for internet services?

For residential customers, we will have 2 plans. 100Mbps at $49.95 and 1Gbps at $79.95. These speeds are symmetrical, meaning the same for both download and upload speeds. And, the best part is, there are NO data caps, so you can use as much data as you want. Business customers pay slightly different rates. Click Here for business rates or call 870-895-3221 for a custom quote.

How fast of an internet speed do I need?

The speed largely depends on how you’re using the Internet and how many Internet users and devices in your home. To stream movies off services like Netflix or Amazon Prime, you need 25 Mbps per user. To watch YouTube, Google says you need at least 2.5 Mbps. Hulu says you need 3.0 Mbps. If you have 4 devices in your home trying to access any of these, 100 Mbps should give you what you need. If you want a super-fast connection, go with the 1Gbps.

What is Managed Wireless Router Services?


For $4.95 per month, we will set up, maintain, and manage your wireless network, including troubleshooting, updates, and security. All ports are opened on the ONT for your use and no additional wireless router is required. The ONT is utilized to access Wi-Fi and is fully compatible with 100 Mbps and 1 Gbps. NEXT, Powered by NAEC has the ability to remotely monitor and modify settings when contacted by customers for troubleshooting. If the ONT's Wi-Fi range is not enough, NEXT, Powered by NAEC can offer 804 mesh satellite(s) as a solution.


What equipment will you be installing in my house?


It depends on the services you subscribe to, but at a minimum, you will have a Network Interface Device (NID) installed on the outside of your house, likely close to your power meter. It will connect to an Optical Network Terminal (ONT). This will provide your internet service. Our ONT’s have the capability to create a wireless network or you can provide your own wireless router. The phone service will be served through the ONT as well. If you subscribe to our television packages, you will have a set-top box for each TV. 

Can I use my own equipment?


You must use the ONT (Optical Network Terminal) as the modem, but you are welcome to use your own wireless router if you prefer.

Will I need special equipment to receive your internet service?


You are not required to provide any equipment for internet service, and there is no fee for the equipment. Managed wireless, which uses the Optical Network Terminal for a wireless router, is $4.95 per month.

If I choose to use my own wireless router, how do I pick the right one?

We recommend you select the managed wireless feature. This puts the responsibility of choosing the right hardware and setting up your network on NEXT, Powered by NAEC. It saves you from having one more device to store, manage, and ultimately replace.

Nice try, but I still want to use my own wireless router. How do I pick the best one for me?

Routers vary in price and features. You will need to research online to find the best one that fits your budget and expectations. We do recommend that you select a wireless router that is defined as 802.11ac and supports speeds up to 1 Gbps. 1 Gbps is also referred to as 'gigabit.' Even if you only select the basic service, this will ensure your router is compatible if you upgrade in the future. If you manage your own router, NEXT, Powered by NAEC will not have the ability to remotely monitor or modify your network settings. You will bear the responsibility of updating firmware, accessing your router for security purposes, and maintaining your wireless network.

What happens if the equipment is damaged?

Physical damage will be charged to the customer. Malfunctioning equipment will be replaced by NEXT, Powered by NAEC at no charge.

Do I need to return the ONT if I cancel service?

Yes. We will send someone to your house to pick up the ONT if you cancel service. Do not try to disconnect the ONT yourself. 

Will you sell my browsing information?

No. We will never sell your information to third parties. NEXT, Powered by NAEC’s policy is to look out for the best interest of our subscribers.


Television Services

Am I required to have NEXT, Powered by NAEC to have this TV service?


Yes. Television is not a standalone service. You will need to have internet service or telephone service to also have television services.

How much does TV cost?

We offer several packages starting at $38.95 per month. The Ultra Plus package includes all premium and sports channels plus 50 music channels and more for $155.95. A la carte packages are also available. You’ll receive a discount if you bundle TV with other NEXT, Powered by NAEC services. Franchise taxes vary by locality.

What channels will be available with the television service?

Click Here to open a PDF that outlines channels available through each package. We will have the basic channels like what you would receive today with a TV package, plus have premium packages for movie or sports channels. Please note, the channels offered in the Local package are dependent on the county in which a subscriber lives.

  • Subscribers living in Baxter and Fulton counties receive Springfield, Missouri, stations. Click Here to download the channel guide.
  • Subscribers in Izard County receive Little Rock stations. Click Here to download the channel guide.
  • Subscribers in Sharp County receive Jonesboro stations. Click Here to download the channel guide.

TV subscribers have access to WatchTVEverywhere. Stream some of your favorite channels and subscribed programming to your tablet, smartphone, laptop or other mobile devices from anywhere with an internet signal. Click Here to open a PDF showing how to get started with WatchTVEverywhere. 

What local channels will you have?

Stay tuned. More information is coming soon

Are channels all HD or is that extra?

Any channel available in HD will be delivered to you that way included in your package. There are no additional charges.

What additional television equipment do I need, and how much does it cost?

You'll need a set-top box for each TV. Each set-top box costs $4.95 per month. 

What happens if the equipment is damaged?

Physical damage will be charged to the subscriber. NEXT, Powered by NAEC will replace malfunctioning equipment.

Can I use my existing television receivers (i.e Dish, DirecTV, etc) if I sign up for NEXT, Powered by NAEC TV service?

No. Our TV service will have specific set-top boxes that have to be used with our TV programming.

Can I use TiVo or other third-party DVRs?

No, the TV service is only compatible with the devices we provide. 

What is IPTV?

IPTV delivers TV using the same technology that powers the internet instead of conventional cable or satellite formats. Using our all-fiber network, we can deliver more than 100 channels in crisp HD to all the TVs in your home. 


Telephone Services

How much does NEXT, Powered by NAEC telephone service cost?

Residential unlimited nationwide calling will cost $27.95/month. International calls can be added for an additional fee. Discounts will be provided if you also have NEXT, Powered by NAEC internet and/or TV service.

What’s included in this phone service?

Phone service includes three-way calling, call waiting, caller block, call forwarding, caller id, call return, do not disturb, and remote access voicemail.

Can I still use the same phone number?

In most areas yes, you will be able to keep your same telephone number.

Do I need a long-distance carrier with NEXT, Powered by NAEC’s telephone service?

No. You’ll have unlimited nationwide calling available.

Do I have to have NEXT, Powered by NAEC Internet plan to have this telephone service?

No.