{"id":128465,"date":"2025-08-08T07:24:12","date_gmt":"2025-08-08T07:24:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/128465\/"},"modified":"2025-08-08T07:24:12","modified_gmt":"2025-08-08T07:24:12","slug":"amid-trump-admin-changes-oklahoma-broadband-office-prepares-for-next-stage-of-development","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/128465\/","title":{"rendered":"Amid Trump admin changes, Oklahoma Broadband Office prepares for next stage of development"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Map<\/a>The Oklahoma Broadband Office’s online dashboard displays a map of ongoing ARPA-funded broadband development projects, seen here as of Tuesday, July 22, 2025. (Oklahoma Broadband Office<\/a>)
\n Support Journalism<\/p>\n

After years of planning and delay, Oklahoma is entering a new stage of broadband development.<\/p>\n

As a result of the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment Program \u2014 as well as earlier American Rescue Plan Act investments \u2014 Oklahomans living in areas that have lacked reliable internet access could soon gain high-speed broadband services. However, evolving federal guidance and political shifts have complicated the rollout, delaying construction and reshaping which technologies and providers will qualify for funding.<\/p>\n

The BEAD Program<\/a> represents a $42.5 billion federal initiative established when President Joe Biden signed the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act<\/a>, which allocated $1.2 trillion for infrastructure projects across the country. BEAD\u2019s mission is to bridge the \u201cdigital divide\u201d by funding high-speed internet access in unserved areas, which have no access to broadband, and underserved areas, where internet speeds fail to meet federal standards<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In August 2024, Oklahoma received preliminary approval<\/a> for more than $797 million in BEAD funding. The Oklahoma Broadband Office set a May 26 application deadline for internet service providers seeking to deploy the funds. But in June, the federal agency overseeing BEAD released a 23-page policy update<\/a> rescinding Biden-era project approvals and repealing several program requirements, including those related to climate resiliency, workforce development, net neutrality<\/a> and community engagement.<\/p>\n

States were instructed to conduct an additional \u201cBenefit of the Bargain\u201d application round under the revised rules, which Oklahoma completed July 23. The state now faces a September deadline to submit its proposed contract awards for federal approval.<\/p>\n

BEAD update enables greater competition
\n\"MembersMembers of the Oklahoma Broadband Governing Board prepare for a meeting Tuesday, June 17, 2025. Although discussions were had about pending policy updates, the board ultimately did not achieve a quorum and could not formally meet. (Jessica Pearce)<\/p>\n

Under President Donald Trump, the updated guidance emphasizes technology neutrality, requiring states to select broadband projects based on cost efficiency and deployment speed rather than specific infrastructure types. While the Biden administration prioritized fiber-optic networks, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration\u2019s revised policy under the Trump administration elevates alternatives like fixed wireless<\/a> and low-Earth-orbit satellites, such as Elon Musk\u2019s Starlink satellites<\/a>. The June notice said alternatives previously had been relegated to \u201cthird-tier status\u201d below fiber-optic networks, which are lauded<\/a> for superior speed and reliability.<\/p>\n

Mike Sanders, executive director of the Oklahoma Broadband Office, said the state remains committed to finding the best technology for the best price.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want to use these tax dollars as efficiently as possible,\u201d Sanders said. \u201cBut we also want to make sure that unserved and underserved Oklahomans get the service they\u2019ve been asking for for decades.\u201d<\/p>\n

Although the Oklahoma Broadband Governing Board will consider all technologies in its review of resubmitted BEAD applications, Sanders said he still considers fiber, the favored technology of the previous administration, the broadband \u201cgold standard,\u201d especially in a state vulnerable to wildfires and extreme weather.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a little more costly up front, but it lasts longer,\u201d Sanders said. \u201cThere\u2019s really no expiration date on fiber, where the other technologies seem to have an expiration date.\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite fiber\u2019s technical advantages, there can be instances where other technologies are more favorable. Misti Willock, the vice president of strategic partnerships at Resound Networks, said cost and geography often make fixed wireless or low-Earth-orbit satellites more practical in rural areas.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor fiber to be financially viable, you need to have a lot of density, meaning a lot of homes and a very small area,\u201d Willock said. \u201cThat\u2019s where fiber fits best. When you don\u2019t have that population density, you look at fixed wireless or LEO satellites.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sanders emphasized that competition between providers and technologies will benefit consumers.<\/p>\n

\u201cOklahomans deserve competition,\u201d Sanders said. \u201cCompetition makes everybody better. Fixed wireless has improved over the last decade. Satellite has improved. They deserve a fair shake.\u201d<\/p>\n

BEAD expected to bring rural internet \u2018to a whole new level\u2019
\n\"broadbandA sign advertises internet service off U.S. 377 west of Kingston, Oklahoma, on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023. (Michael McNutt)<\/p>\n

Although the BEAD Program was enacted in 2021, construction has yet to begin on any BEAD projects in Oklahoma. Sanders attributed the delay to bureaucratic challenges and the shifting federal requirements.<\/p>\n

\u201cQuite frankly, the reason for the slowdown was all the added layers of bureaucracy,\u201d he said. \u201cEvery time we got close, there was a new add-on that didn\u2019t have anything to do with internet buildout. It took them three-plus years to give guidance and give straight answers.\u201d<\/p>\n

While Sanders said the most recent policy changes under the Trump administration have not caused a significant delay in the state\u2019s rollout \u2014 although they did require ISPs to endure a second application process \u2014 his office now has until Sept. 4 to submit its revised list of BEAD contract awards for final approval. Once submitted, the NTIA has 90 days to approve or deny the proposal. If approved, Sanders said he is \u201ccautiously optimistic\u201d that construction on BEAD-funded projects in Oklahoma will begin by early 2026, with services operational by the end of 2028.<\/p>\n

Sanders noted that while BEAD has experienced delays, Oklahoma has made significant broadband investments through the American Rescue Plan Act<\/a>. The Oklahoma Legislature allocated more than $385 million<\/a> in ARPA funds for broadband expansion, leading to 164 active projects across the state.<\/p>\n

\n

Where\u2019s the money going?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Review the Oklahoma Broadband Office\u2019s dashboard of current projects<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\u201c2024 was the most historic year in broadband investment Oklahoma has ever seen,\u201d Sanders said. \u201cWe\u2019ve broken ground on nearly 20 projects. Most states haven\u2019t done anything because they\u2019re waiting on BEAD, but we\u2019ve already removed 70,000 unserved and underserved Oklahomans from the list.\u201d<\/p>\n

One of the companies involved in those efforts is Resound Networks, a Texas-based ISP that received $21.1 million<\/a> in ARPA funding to deliver a mix of fiber and fixed wireless services across 14 Oklahoma counties. Willock said these funds were critical in making rural broadband expansion feasible.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you look at some of these more rural communities, you\u2019re not just dealing with population density, but you\u2019re also dealing with poverty,\u201d Willock said. \u201cA lot of people can\u2019t afford to pay for internet, so you have lower take rates than you would in a metropolitan area like Oklahoma City. These programs, while they do not help with the cost of operations, do help with the upfront capital costs, which helps us in the long run, because you\u2019re not having to build 100 percent of a network with your own capital.\u201d<\/p>\n

Among Oklahoma companies laying fiber in rural communities, Hilliary Communications received $43.2 million of ARPA funds in December for projects across 11 counties: Atoka, Comanche, Cotton, Grady, Jackson, Kiowa, Latimer, Le Flore, Pittsburg, Stephens and Washita. According to an OBO press release, those funds will add high-speed internet service for 2,007 homes and businesses, including access for the entirety of Bray, a 950-person community northeast of Duncan.<\/p>\n

\u201cHilliary Communications is proud to be at the forefront of delivering fiber broadband to rural communities across the country, including this latest expansion project that expands fiber connections to the entire community of Bray,\u201d Dustin Hilliary, co-CEO of Hilliary Communications, said in the release. \u201cThis project exemplifies our long-standing commitment to connecting rural America from the heart of Oklahoma. It puts us one step closer to ensuring every rural community has access to the latest high-speed internet needed to thrive in tomorrow\u2019s economy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2018Modern connectivity is vital in keeping our rural communities intact\u2019<\/p>\n

A study from the Center on Rural Innovation<\/a> found that communities with high rates of broadband use tend to see 213 percent more business growth, 44 percent higher GDP growth and 18 percent higher per-capita income growth.<\/p>\n

For sovereign tribal nations, broadband expansion also supports cultural preservation and community cohesion. Julie Hubbard, communications director for the Cherokee Nation, said improved internet access helps citizens remain connected to their heritage and communities.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe ability for our citizens to have modern connectivity is vital in keeping our rural communities intact,\u201d Hubbard said. \u201cAccess to telehealth, online education and remote working opportunities give our citizens the option to stay in the communities their families may have lived in for generations and continue to build them up. The Cherokee Nation has an extremely extensive language program<\/a>, and many parts of the language program rely heavily on connectivity.\u201d<\/p>\n

However, Hubbard emphasized that coverage alone is not enough to close the digital divide. Affordability remains a major barrier.<\/p>\n

\u201cA large issue we have today in the covered areas is that while the access exists, it may still be cost-prohibitive for some to take part,\u201d Hubbard said. \u201cPrograms like Lifeline<\/a> are extremely beneficial to those who qualify, but the process is not simple, especially for an individual lacking tech skills.\u201d<\/p>\n

Willock said that although ARPA-funded projects have already been impactful, \u201cBEAD takes it to a whole new level\u201d and will enable greater economic development in low-income and rural communities.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we\u2019re talking about internet access, we\u2019re talking about access to information and opportunity,\u201d Willock said. \u201cEveryone deserves that level playing field. The biggest benefit to that is this gives people a way to try to better themselves, so that they can get a promotion at work, or they\u2019re able to find even a remote position where they\u2019re paid better, and smaller communities can draw in more industry.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sanders said that the benefits go beyond economic opportunities.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is going to change lives,\u201d he said. \u201cThose folks know that their lives are going to change for the better, whether it\u2019s in education, health care, tourism or marketing. This is about improving the quality of life for Oklahomans.\u201d<\/p>\n