Oklahoma is on Pace for 95% Broadband Connectivity by End of 2026, & Aims to be “Best Connected State” with a clear path to reaching 100%, according to Mike Sanders, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Broadband Office.
Speaking at the Oklahoma Farm Bureau’s annual meeting, Sanders delivered the “really exciting” news to Farm Director, KC Sheperd, emphasizing the transformative impact this will have on rural and agricultural communities.
“We’ve been waiting a long, long time. And as someone who lives in rural Oklahoma, I know exactly what that means,” Sanders said. He confirmed that 180 projects are currently underway across the state to build out the network.
The plan also addresses the most difficult and costly areas to connect.
“That last 5%—that’s the most expensive, that’s the hardest to get,” Sanders explained. He announced that a final program, valued at $655 million, will be awarded by the end of this year to tackle these “hardest, most difficult places.” He expects “shovels in the ground” for this final phase by the late first or early second quarter of 2026.
Why Connectivity is Critical
Sanders stressed that robust broadband is no longer a luxury but a necessity for modern agriculture, healthcare, and education. He noted that the COVID-19 pandemic “shed a light on” the state’s deficiencies, calling connectivity “a public safety issue, it’s a health care issue, it’s an education issue.”
With the rise of AI, advanced tractor technology, and telemedicine, high-speed internet is crucial for Oklahoma’s producers to remain competitive.
“Oklahoma is on pace to be the best-connected state in the United States, not by accident, but by intention,” Sanders declared. “That’s our goal. That’s our mission.”
“Ahead of Schedule and Under Budget”
Since its inception, the Oklahoma Broadband Office has been moving at a rapid pace.
“I always [said] that never happens,” Sanders joked about being “ahead of schedule and under budget.” He credited the success to strong partnerships with the state’s telephone co-ops, electric co-ops, and family-owned internet providers.
“You shouldn’t be penalized because of your zip code not having the ability to be connected,” Sanders said. “This is going to be life-changing.”
He encouraged residents to use the state’s interactive broadband map at oklahoma.ok.gov, where they can enter their address to see what technology is available, who is providing it, and when it is coming.
Reflecting on the progress from 1995-era dial-up to today’s technology, Sanders said the future for rural Oklahoma is bright. He noted that while fiber is the “gold standard,” fixed wireless and satellite options have also become powerful tools.
“You can run your multi-million dollar cow calf operation from your kitchen table,” Sanders concluded. “But the problem is, if you’re not connected, you’re done… If rural Oklahoma has the tools, we will lead, but if we don’t, others will.”
