Windstream Blocks Dierks’ Internet Plans

Plans to bring broadband internet speeds to the city of Dierks and surrounding area has hit a snag. Dierks Mayor Ronnie Cogburn informed council members Monday evening that a grant request on behalf of Dierks has been rejected by the state. Cogburn said the city’s current internet provider, Windstream, has fought the proposal by Premiere Broadband. The mayor said state officials denied the Dierks broadband grant after Windstream told the state it is already providing high speed broadband services within the city. High speed broadband internet is defined by the state as being at least 25 megabits per second with upload speeds of at least 3 megabits per second. City officials are disputing Windstream’s claims. Mayor Cogburn said that some businesses and residences do reach the broadband speeds with Windsream. However, it’s only those who are within a close proximity of the company’s equipment that can attain the required speeds for broadband. City officials are attempting to contact enough Windstream customers to conduct a speed test to confirm most of the town does not have the speeds that Windstream claims.