Oklahoma Broadband Expansion projects approved for Grady County

Jessica Lane, The Express-Star, Chickasha, Okla.
·2 min read

Jan. 31—More homes and businesses in Grady County could have access to high speed internet thanks to Oklahoma Broadband Expansion projects.

The Oklahoma Broadband Governing Board voted to authorize 142 broadband infrastructure expansion projects in 57 Oklahoma counties on Jan. 24. The legislature designated $374 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to be supplemented with $90 million in matching funds from internet service providers, according to a release from the Oklahoma Broadband Office.

Four projects were approved for Grady County that are expected to serve 859 homes and businesses, Tim Allen, Oklahoma Broadband Office Media Relations said. These projects include: Southern Plains Cable in the amount of $2,008,114 for 216 locations and another $2,396,099 for 179 additional locations, AMG Oklahoma ISP in the amount of $258,170 for 82 locations and Dobson Fiber $3,229,188 for 372 locations.

The Oklahoma Broadband Office said there could be some modifications to the list of approved projects if the provider chooses to withdraw participation. In this case, funding will move to the next project on the list, with approval from the board.

While it's too early to pinpoint a projected timeline on the date of completion, all projects must be finished by October 2026, as per the Oklahoma Broadband Expansion Office.

Allen shared some statistics from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) about high speed internet access in Grady County. As of November last year, 3,987 homes and businesses in the county do not have access to high speed internet. This number includes locations with no service whatsoever and homes that have some service that is too slow. About 21,562 locations in Grady County do have access to what is considered high speed service, Allen said quoting the FCC.

Allen said there will be more programs that aim into improve high speed internet access, especially in rural Oklahoma communities. The next project is an ARPA Capital Projects grant that could total $159 million. Later, a $800 million Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) grant will help connect even more Oklahomans, Allen said.