History
Standing the Test of Time
1923Connecting Communities: The Birth of a Telephone Legacy
D.L. and Estelle Fail purchased their hometown telephone company in 1923. The deal included one manual switchboard, a handful of telephone poles, and 120 loyal customers. The Fails operated the company from a spare bedroom in their home with a mission to “make it easier for people to connect”.
1929Growing Up in Telecommunications: Charles “Charlie” Joins the Family Business
The business gained another employee when the Fails' oldest son, Charlie, was born in 1929. Charlie Fail grew up in the telephone business, repairing equipment and climbing telephone poles - learning the telephone service industry from the ground up.
1950From Soldier to Family Man: The Journey of Charlie Fail
After serving overseas in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, Charlie returned home to work for the family business once more. In 1958, he married the love of his life and wife of 57 years, Dorothea “Dot” Cooper. Later that year, they welcomed their first child, Donna.
1973Expanding Horizons: The Legacy continues to grow
By 1973, the family business had evolved into a holding company for a network of independent telephone companies connecting friends, families, and communities in four states.
1992Building on Tradition: Fail Telecommunications Corporation Founded
Charlie and Dot, along with support from their children, Donna and Cy, founded Fail Telecommunications Corporation, a holding company for three of those original telephone companies.
1997Estelle Fail featured in Mississippi Magazine.
Estelle Fail was featured in Mississippi Magazine for pioneering telecommunications in Mississippi.
See Mississippi Magazine article here
2023A Century of Connectivity: The Fail Family's Telecommunications Legacy
The Fail Family celebrated 100 years and 4 generations of exceptional telecommunications services. Great-granddaughters Christa and Ali continue that legacy by investing in the communities they serve with fiber optic broadband.
2024Arriva Connect: Honoring Heritage, Embracing the Future
New name. Same trusted service. Arriva translates to “arrived” - a new generation and a new enhanced connection have arrived. Arriva is still a family-run, women-owned business with many loyal employees and valued customers in Mississippi and Georgia. Building on a history of success, Arriva seeks to honor its rich past, while looking confidently to the future.