Oklahoma Broadband Office, Dobson Fiber launch high-speed internet expansion in rural Oklahoma

ARAPAHO – Eight projects totaling $17.3 million for high-speed internet expansion were officially launched Monday morning in Arapaho by the Oklahoma Broadband Office (OBO) and Dobson Fiber. 

The projects, funded through $11.6 million in federal grants administered by the OBO coupled with $5.7 million in matching funds from Dobson Fiber, will connect 1,829 homes and businesses with broadband internet using fiber optic technology. The award from ARPA State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) was made earlier this year by the Oklahoma Broadband Governing Board.

Monday’s event is but one example of the progress being made statewide to get high-speed internet access to all Oklahomans. The Dobson Fiber projects are in Atoka, Beckham, Custer, Garvin, Grady, Greer, Muskogee, and Washita counties.

OBO and Dobson Fiber officials, along with local legislators and municipal officials attended the event on the lawn of the Custer County Courthouse in Arapaho.

“Today’s launch is more than just the laying of fiber – it’s the foundation for opportunity, growth, and connectivity in every corner of Oklahoma. With each mile of broadband we expand, we’re not just bridging a digital divide, we’re empowering our communities for a brighter, more prosperous future,” said OBO Executive Director Mike Sanders.

“Having served Oklahomans since 1936, we are excited to connect communities across the state with the most advanced fiber network and fastest residential speeds available nationwide. Our network deployments are initially designed to deliver up to 10 gigabits per second to residents we serve. This same network will be capable of delivering 100 gigabits within the next five years,” said Dobson Fiber Chief Strategy Officer Jim Horsburgh.

ARPA-SLFRF-awarded grant projects will result in some 50,000 homes and businesses statewide being served with affordable and reliable high-speed internet. But the growth of broadband access across Oklahoma is just beginning.

In late fall, the Governing Board gave tentative approval to more than $158 million in ARPA Capital Projects Fund grants to 12 internet service providers for 50 projects in 28 counties. Dobson Fiber was the recipient of over $24 million of these tentatively approved grants.

Now, ISPs are competing for more than $750 million in additional grant funds through the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program.

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.