Thanks to a mix of federal grants and private matching contributions, the state has already begun building out high-speed networks.
OKLAHOMA, USA — Faster, more reliable internet is on the way to southeastern Oklahoma, as the Oklahoma Broadband Office launches several new expansion projects across the region.
The agency recently broke ground on four broadband infrastructure projects in Choctaw, Latimer, LeFlore, and McCurtain counties, representing a total investment of more than $58 million.
Mike Sanders, executive director of the Oklahoma Broadband Office, said many rural areas in the state still have extremely slow or unreliable internet access, largely because private companies have prioritized urban markets.
“The fact is that rural areas of Oklahoma have been left behind for way too long,” Sanders said. “It is more expensive to reach those particular customers.”
Thanks to a mix of federal grants and private matching contributions, the state has already begun building out high-speed networks. That includes $30 million of investment in LeFlore County alone.
When the infrastructure is complete, Sanders said residents will have access to multiple internet providers that have agreed to offer service in these underserved areas. He said the arrival of dependable internet will have wide-ranging benefits for homes, schools, and small businesses.
“Whether you live in Heavener, Howe, Cameron, or Poteau, you should be able to compete with kids from New York City, Dallas, or Los Angeles,” Sanders said. “It’s going to be a life-changer. High-speed internet used to be considered a luxury — not anymore.”
The expansion is funded by $39.7 million in federal grants through the Oklahoma Broadband Office, along with $19.1 million in matching funds from private provider Pine. The agency estimates that by next fall, 1,512 homes and businesses will be connected to high-speed internet via fiber-optic lines.
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