OKLAHOMA CITY – The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has issued final approval of last-mile grants under the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program for Oklahoma.
Under the approved plan, Oklahoma will connect 40,509 homes, businesses and Community Anchor Institutions with high-speed internet service in hard-to-reach locations. There will be a project in all 77 counties and over 95% of the state will be connected when BEAD projects conclude. Total investment in BEAD deployment projects will be $574 million for these new broadband expansion efforts.
“The final framework set by NTIA helps us surpass our goal of coverage across the state while saving taxpayers money,“ said Mike Sanders, executive director of the Oklahoma Broadband Office (OBO). “We remain laser-focused on reaching unserved locations and delivering practical, dependable broadband service throughout the state.”
“High-speed connectivity in Oklahoma will reach an all-time high thanks to the grant programs administered by the OBO,” said Jim Meek, Chair, Oklahoma Broadband Governing Board. “This is good for our farmers and ranchers, our school children, and those who need remote health care services.”
NTIA’s approval unlocks $428 million in grants to be awarded to internet service providers which will provide $146 million in matching funds. The approved plan reflects implementation of cost-saving steps required by the Trump Administration.
BEAD grants will be awarded to 24 companies, of which 18, or 75%, are local Oklahoma-based internet providers.
With NTIA approval now in place, the plan moves into its final federal review stage with the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
The OBO is now administering three federal programs to expand broadband service throughout the state. The trio of programs will connect more than 100,000 homes and businesses with a total investment of $1.4 billion, including $941 million in grants and $460 million in matching funds from the companies receiving the awards.
More than 70% of locations served by OBO programs will receive fiber optic connection, 20% will be connected via fixed wireless service and less than 10% will receive low earth orbit satellite connectivity.
The Oklahoma Legislature created the broadband office in 2022 to oversee the administration of federal broadband grants.
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For more information contact:
Tim Allen, Director of Communications and Media Relations
tim.allen@broadband.ok.gov
(405) 205-4929
