OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Broadband Office (OBO) wants to hear from you about its initial proposal for use of almost $800 million in federal grant funds for high-speed internet expansion, OBO Executive Director Mike Sanders announced today.
The OBO has posted the BEAD Initial Proposal Volume 1 to its website along with a current list of Community Anchor Institutions (CAIs) for review at this link. Oklahoma has been allocated $797.4 million for BEAD, the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment, grant program.
“Hearing from you, the public, is key to our efforts to best manage the single largest grant program for high-speed internet construction we will administer,” Sanders said. “After all, it is the people’s money that will be spent to expand affordable and reliable high-speed internet service across the state.”
In addition to the general public, comments are also encouraged from internet service providers and representatives of CAIs.
Comments or suggested revisions to the BEAD Initial Proposal Volume 1 and corrections or additions to the CAI list can be submitted via email to BEAD@broadband.ok.gov.
Ensuring public input on Oklahoma’s plans for high-speed internet expansion is a fundamental component of the OBO’s efforts. A 10-stop informational tour will be launched by the office in October, and a 19-stop statewide listening tour that covered more than 6,500 miles was held earlier this year.
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
