Oklahoma board approves over $158 million in grants for broadband projects

Over $158 million in broadband expansion projects were approved by the Oklahoma Broadband Governing Board. The 50 awarded projects are funded by the American Rescue Plan Act Capital Project Funds. The Oklahoma Broadband Office had $159 million available to award for the projects. The projects will bring internet service to over 28,000 homes and businesses spanning 28 counties in Oklahoma, mostly in rural areas. The 50 approved grants are for 12 different internet service providers. The top awarded providers were: 

• Cox Communications was awarded nine contracts totaling nearly $61 million, 
• Dobson Fiber was awarded 10 contracts totaling over $24.7 million, 
• Resound Networks was awarded 11 contracts totaling over $18.2 million, 
• Atlas Broadband was awarded eight contracts totaling over $17.6 million, and
• AT&T Services, on behalf of its affiliate Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, was awarded three contracts totaling over $14.1 million.