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Efforts to expand high-speed internet access to underserved areas of the state took a major step forward when the Oklahoma Broadband Control Commission recently awarded $374 million in grants for broadband expansion projects.
A total of 142 projects have been approved in 57 counties and will impact 55,000 homes and businesses, according to the Oklahoma Broadband Authority.
The ARPA State and Local Financial Recovery Fund was designated by the state Legislature to expand high-speed internet access, especially in rural areas.
In northwest Oklahoma, four companies received more than $6.5 million for six projects.
• AT&T Services Inc., on behalf of its affiliate Southwestern Bell Telephone Co., donated $1,490,741 to Alfalfa County for fiber optics.
• KanOkla Telephone Association, $1,150,747.60 for fiber optics in Alfalfa County.
• Chisholm Broadband, $1,113,000 for fixed wireless in Grant County.
• KanOkla Telephone, Grant County fiber tolls $1,692,841.78.
• Resound Networks, $176,390 for fixed wireless in Major County.
• Chisholm Broadband, $258,000 for fixed wireless in Major County.
All projects must be completed by the end of 2026.
Northwest Oklahoma’s share of the money may seem small, but there are several reasons why.
Two of the largest internet service providers in northwest Oklahoma did not participate in the grant program.
One of them, the Pioneer phone, already participates in another federal grant program, Enhanced A-CAM, Enhanced Connect America Model. The program is administered by the Federal Communications Commission and is designed to expand fiber-optic broadband service in rural areas.
The second Panhandle Telephone also did not participate in the ARPA SLFRF. Tim Allen, OBO’s director of communications and media relations, said the Panhandle has expanded its fiber-optic internet service over the years.
More funding will also come from the Oklahoma Broadband Office, which will award grants of $159 million and $797.4 million.
We are excited to see this project moving forward and can’t wait to bring even more funding to northwest Oklahoma.
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