Ritter Communications of Jonesboro, the state’s largest locally-owned broadband provider, on Friday announced a $7 million infrastructure project to underpin a high-tech communications and business services system in Hot Springs.

The investment by Ritter, which serves 45,000 customers in 89 communities, will give Hot Springs businesses 100 percent fiber internet, voice and cloud options, the company said, as well as network and television services, all expected to be available by late summer.

At the announcement, made at the Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce, Ritter President Alan Morse said the project is “bringing a whole new level of high-speed business communication solutions to Hot Springs. This investment gives Spa City businesses the competitive advantage of access to the highest-speed internet available.”

Ritter is offering a 10-gigabit-per-second, 100 percent fiber connectivity, Morse told a crowd including U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman, Garland County Judge Darryl Mahoney and Hot Springs Mayor Pat McCabe.

Ritter’s ultra high-speed services use signals traveling at the speed of light, and will be available to business customers in some city zones as early as August, according to a news release.

“Ritter responded to fill a void that we have in Hot Springs and Garland County in terms of broadband connectivity,” said Gary Troutman, president and CEO of the Hot Springs Metro Partnership. Troutman praised Ritter’s five-generation history and Arkansas roots, but also called the company an “engaged, caring and involved community partner.”

At this time, Ritter is aiming its new services only at businesses, not residences. Founded in Marked Tree and headquartered in Jonesboro, Ritter began offering phone service to Arkansans in 1906.