The Oklahoma Broadband Governing Board approved $158 million in broadband expansion projects last Thursday. The Oklahoma Voice reported that the millions will fund 50 projects, bringing service to over 28,000 homes and businesses across 28 (primarily rural) counties. Project money comes from the American Rescue Plan Act Capital Project Funds.
According to Mike Sanders, executive director of the Oklahoma Broadband Office, 49 approvals were for fiber projects. “These investments are a game changer for communities that have for far too long been left behind in the digital age,” Sanders said. “We’re moving closer to ensuring that every Oklahoman has access to the high-speed internet essential for success in today’s world.”
The 50 projects were awarded to twelve ISPs. The top awards include:
- Cox Communications with nine contracts ($61 million)
- Dobson Fiber with ten contracts ($24.7 million)
- Resound Networks with eleven contracts ($18.2 million)
- Atlas Broadband with eight contracts ($17.6 million)
- AT&T Services (Southwestern Bell Telephone Company) with three contracts ($14.1 million)
The Oklahoma Voice reported that this is the second round of project funding approved by the board in 2024. The total funds awarded now total over $500 million. According to a news release, the combined funds will enable “high-speed internet access to more than 66,000 locations in 57 of the state’s 77 counties.”
And the board is not finished yet. Its next task is to approve BEAD grants, with $750 million in funds available for Oklahoma.
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