Oklahoma Broadband Office Pepares for Second Round of Statewide Tour Stops
OKLAHOMA CITY – Starting early next month, the Oklahoma Broadband Office (OBO) will begin a second round of tour stops to visit with and hear from Oklahomans about high-speed internet service expansion, OBO Executive Director Mike Sanders announced today.
The “Oklahoma’s Digital Promise” tour will pass through 10 cities and towns to provide information and gather public input to develop a detailed plan to help close the divide between people and businesses with access to high-speed internet service and those without it. The tour kicks off on October 3 and will conclude on November 9.
Residents, business owners, farmers and ranchers, community leaders, members of tribal communities, and representatives for schools, hospitals, nonprofits, and other community organizations are encouraged to attend.
The OBO conducted a 19-stop tour from May to July. Hundreds of Oklahomans participated to give input on their needs for broadband service they currently lack.
“The goal of the ‘Oklahoma’s Digital Promise’ tour is to collect data points that will ultimately help connect unserved and underserved communities to access to high-speed internet,” Sanders said. “Reliable internet has become a necessity not a luxury. The OBO needs the community’s input in order to break down barriers to access.”
The public is encouraged to register at this link for any of the stops on the tour, which will take place in the following cities and towns:
* October 3, 1:00pm – Hobart
* October 5, 1:00pm – Muskogee
* October 11, 6:00pm – Krebs
* October 12, 11:00am – Burns Flat
* October 17, 1:00pm – Atoka
* October 19, 6:00pm – Oklahoma City
* October 24, 11:00am – Okarche
* October 25, 1:00pm – Duncan
* October 26, 12:00pm – Watonga
* November 9, 10:00am – Ponca City
Data show more than 728,000 Oklahomans currently lack access to dependable high-speed internet service in Oklahoma. That’s more than one-in-six Oklahoma residents.
For questions regarding the tour, the public is encouraged to email or call MJ Barton, Tribal & Programs Outreach Manager, OBO, at mj.barton@broadband.ok.gov or (405) 517-2393.
About the Oklahoma Broadband Office
Oklahoma has launched a bold and transparent effort to ensure fast and affordable broadband internet service is available throughout the state and the Oklahoma Broadband Office is a key component.
Created in 2022, the office is on a mission to develop and administer federal grant programs to make affordable, high-speed internet available to all Oklahomans. It also coordinates efforts throughout the state to ensure broadband expansion is conducted effectively and efficiently.
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For more information contact:
Tim Allen, Director of Communications & Media Relations
tim.allen@broadband.ok.gov
405-205-4929
