State Launches New Rural Broadband Expansion
The Oklahoma Broadband Office will officially launch a rural broadband expansion project with internet service provider Lake Region Technology & Communications to improve access to high-speed internet service in Wagoner County. The project will expand fiber broadband access for residents and businesses in the area.
This announcement reinforces major Oklahoma Energy interdependence because reliable high-speed connectivity supports oil producers, rural field office logistics, pipeline SCADA communications, distributed energy development and real time market data movement.
Therefore this broadband expansion becomes a direct infrastructure support initiative rather than just convenience access.
Event Details:
What: Launch event for Oklahoma Broadband Office/Lake Region Technology & Communications broadband expansion project
When: 11:30 a.m., Friday, November 14
Where: South of Okay, OK on N. 49th St. East between E. 50th St. North and E. 60th St. North. | Google Maps Link | Apple Maps LInk |
State and Regional Leaders Will Attend
Participants (invited):
- Mike Sanders, Executive Director, Oklahoma Broadband Office
- Larry Mattes, Marketing Director, Lake Region Technology & Communications
- (Invited) Legislators, community and Tribal leaders and other stakeholders
Event Highlights:
- Official announcement and overview of the broadband expansion projects
- Comments from key leaders and project partners
- Project launch photo opportunity
- Q&A session with the media
- Opportunities for interviews with project leaders and community representatives
ARPA Funds Are Driving Statewide Buildout
The background provided with the event notes that this project is one of more than 180 funded by the ARPA State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds and ARPA Capital Projects Fund. These programs will greatly improve high-speed internet access throughout the state, but especially in rural Oklahoma.
Awarded grants administered by the Oklahoma Broadband Office will connect some 70,000 homes and businesses in 57 of the state’s 77 counties.
This means federal infrastructure capital now accelerates rural fiber legs across Oklahoma Energy counties where upstream natural gas operators, midstream pipeline controllers, electric coops, power marketers, wind operators and other grid critical entities also operate.
Additionally this reduces latency issues for oilfield engineering uploads, regulatory filings, production reporting and environmental compliance data streaming.