Internet Providers in 72139

With 5 carriers competing, Russell, AR (72139) is a well-served market where subscribers benefit from competitive pricing and frequent promotional offerings. ZIP 72139 (Russell, AR) has a highly concentrated broadband market (HHI: 33,109) where Viasat dominates with 100% coverage reach — 0 percentage points ahead of the next-largest provider, HughesNet at 100%. In highly concentrated markets, consumers typically see fewer promotional offers and less pressure on the leading provider to invest in network upgrades. The remaining 3 providers in ZIP 72139 (Russell, AR) cover a fraction of addresses, limiting their competitive impact. Research from the FCC shows that markets with one dominant provider average higher monthly costs compared to markets with two or more meaningfully overlapping competitors.

While the broader metro area reports 5 providers, granular coverage data shows 3 providers with verified infrastructure in the immediate 72139 area. Some metro-wide providers may not serve your exact location.

The Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI) for this ZIP code is 33,109, classifying it as a highly concentrated market under U.S. Department of Justice guidelines. A highly concentrated market means one or two providers control most of the coverage, which can limit competitive pricing for consumers.

Fiber-optic internet (FTTH) is not yet available in this area. With national fiber coverage now reaching 57% of U.S. addresses, areas without fiber access are increasingly in the minority — though buildout in lower-density markets often lags urban areas by 2-4 years. Residents should monitor provider expansion announcements and BEAD grant project maps for timeline estimates. Fixed wireless internet — including 5G home internet services — is available from T-Mobile and Verizon 5G Home, reaching 47% of addresses (well above the national fixed wireless average of 32%). Fixed wireless offers a no-installation alternative that is increasingly competitive with cable for everyday internet use, with speeds typically ranging from 50-300 Mbps download. Unlike satellite, fixed wireless delivers lower latency (20-40 ms), making it viable for video conferencing and gaming. Satellite internet (Viasat, HughesNet, Starlink) reaches addresses that wired broadband can't. Starlink's low-Earth-orbit (LEO) technology delivers 20-60 ms latency — a major improvement over geostationary services at 600+ ms — making it a practical choice for rural households without fixed-line options.

Residents of ZIP code 72139 can choose from plans starting at $45/mo (T-Mobile Rely Home Internet GEO TE, 150 Mbps download) up to 2.3 Gbps (Verizon Fios Fios 2 Gig at $119.99/mo). Across all 14 plans available, the median price point offers a balance of speed and affordability for typical household needs.

The technology mix in 72139 includes 2 fixed wireless/5G providers. Without fiber availability, cable internet typically offers the best combination of speed and reliability in this area, while fixed wireless provides an alternative with no wiring required.

Arkansas received $1.0 billion in federal BEAD funding. The Arkansas State Broadband Office is currently in the planning phase, which means the state is still developing its initial proposal and identifying unserved locations before challenge processes begin. The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) previously provided up to $30/month subsidies for eligible households, though federal funding expired in 2024. Some providers continue offering voluntary low-income discounts.

Market data is based on the FCC Broadband Data Collection (December 2024). Actual coverage and plan availability may vary by specific address within ZIP code 72139.

Technology Availability

Fiber-optic internet is not yet available in Russell. 2 fixed wireless or 5G home internet options are available. satellite internet serves as a backup for addresses outside wired coverage areas. The technology mix in Russell determines the range of speeds and prices residents can access for home internet service.

Pricing Overview

Internet plans in Russell range from $45/month to $129.99/month, with an average of $80/month — $15/month above the national average of $65/month. Fiber plans average $78/month locally, compared to the national fiber average of $60/month. The most affordable option is T-Mobile starting at $45/month for 150 Mbps speeds. At the top end, HughesNet's 25 Mbps plan costs $129.99/month — best suited for large households or home offices needing maximum bandwidth. Residents of AR should compare at least 2-3 providers before committing, as pricing varies significantly by plan tier and technology type.

Market Competition

Despite having 5 providers, Russell's broadband market is highly concentrated — Viasat controls 100% of available coverage. In concentrated markets like this, consumers often see fewer promotional offers and slower infrastructure investment compared to competitive metro areas.

Speed Options

Internet speeds in Russell range from 12 Mbps to 2.3 Gbps. The fastest available plan is Verizon Fios's 2.3 Gbps fiber service at $119.99/month. With 2.3 Gbps service, households can support 92+ simultaneous 4K streams, lag-free competitive gaming, and large file transfers without congestion. For most households, 307 Mbps plans from Verizon Fios offer the best balance of speed and cost for everyday use.

Our Recommendation

For most Russell residents, we recommend Verizon Fios's 2.3 Gbps plan at $119.99/month for the best speed-per-dollar value. Budget-conscious households should consider T-Mobile at $45/month as the most affordable option. Gamers should consider Verizon Fios's 2.3 Gbps fiber plan — fiber provides the lowest latency (typically 5-15 ms) for competitive online gaming. For households of 4+ people with multiple connected devices, Verizon Fios's 2.3 Gbps plan at $119.99/month provides enough bandwidth for simultaneous streaming, gaming, and video calls. Always verify availability at your exact address, as coverage can vary block by block in Russell.