Four projects totaling $58.8 million for high-speed internet expansion in southeastern Oklahoma were officially launched Friday in the Choctaw County town of Grant by the Oklahoma Broadband Office (OBO) and internet service provider Pine Telephone Company.
The projects, funded through $39.7 million in federal grants administered by the OBO coupled with $19.1 million in matching contributions from Pine, will connect 1,512 homes and businesses with broadband internet using fiber optic line.
The awards were made last year by the Oklahoma Broadband Governing Board for high-speed internet expansion in Choctaw, Latimer, Le Flore, and McCurtain counties.
Friday’s event exemplifies the progress being made statewide to get high-speed internet access to all Oklahomans.
The Choctaw County project will connect more than 1,200 locations with fiber broadband service, including virtually every home and business in the rural community of Grant.
OBO and Pine officials, along with local legislators, federal and tribal officials, and municipal officials attended the event.
“Today’s launch is more than the start of a broadband project—it’s a promise to the people of Oklahoma, especially in our rural towns and backroads, that they won’t be left behind. With every mile we connect, we’re igniting possibilities, strengthening families and businesses, and building a future where every community has a fair shot at success,” said OBO Executive Director Mike Sanders.
“Pine is a family-owned company providing service to southeastern Oklahoma for over 110 years. We understand the true meaning of community—neighbors serving neighbors,” saidPine Telephone Company General Manager Jerry Whisenhunt.
Grants of some $525 million have been awarded by the Oklahoma Broadband Governing Board. When matching funds from the internet service providers building the projects are added, the total investment is more than $840 million.
At least one project is slated to be built in 59 of the state’s 77 counties. Over 180 projects have been awarded to provide high-speed internet access to more than 69,000 homes and businesses.
With tens of thousands of locations to be served through OBO administered programs, the office is on pace to complete its mission of achieving statewide coverage.