Federal Grant Brings High-Speed Broadband to Rural Oklahoma

Project partners announced Tuesday the completion of the Oklahoma Community Anchor Network (OCAN). OCAN is a partnership among the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education (OSRHE), the Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation.

In August 2010, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), under the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP), awarded Oklahoma a $74 million grant to fund the OCAN project and expand broadband services across the state. OCAN is designed to offer high-speed broadband services to rural and underserved Oklahoma.

Communities will access OCAN’s expanded network through OneNet, a division of OSRHE and Oklahoma’s only statewide Internet service provider. Educational institutions, health care providers, public services and nonprofits will have the opportunity to connect to the network through OneNet. In addition, local telecommunications providers can partner with OCAN to extend services to the private sector. Through these public-private partnerships, OCAN will provide opportunities for small businesses and expand economic growth in Oklahoma’s rural communities.

“In today’s knowledge-based world, our students, from kindergarten through higher education, need access to technology that supports and enables their learning,” said Chancellor Glen D. Johnson. “OCAN offers that access, bringing Oklahoma’s rural schools, colleges and universities, libraries, and hospitals the technology they need to stay competitive in today’s economy.”

OCAN’s expanded broadband network encompasses 1,005 miles, reaching 35 Oklahoma counties. The network connects 33 community anchor institutions, including state colleges and universities, hospitals and local libraries, to the state’s existing networks. These connections will be vital to advancing economic development and improving educational, public health and safety services in Oklahoma’s rural communities.

Oklahoma’s library system and the residents it serves is one group who will benefit from OCAN.

“Public libraries in Oklahoma are increasingly providing services for their customers that require access to high speed broadband. Examples of services libraries will be able to provide include videoconferencing for recovering stroke victims support groups, higher education courses leading to more college degree completion, job coaching and interviewing and continuing education for professionals,” said Oklahoma Department of Libraries Director Susan McVey. “The completion of the OCAN is making that possible with available and affordable broadband connections.”

Several state agencies operate technology networks throughout Oklahoma, including each of the project partners and the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority. OCAN bridges these disparate providers to form an aligned network reaching remote areas of the state not served by current networks.

“Four years ago, the state of Oklahoma recognized the need to expand our current networks to reach all areas of the state with high-speed broadband services,” said Oklahoma’s Chief Information Officer Alex Pettit. “We are now seeing this goal become a reality for our state’s rural communities.”

OCAN’s high-speed broadband options will not only bring technology opportunities to rural Oklahoma, but also will create new levels of efficiencies for state and local government agencies and other community services.

“The Department of Transportation is not only a necessary partner in the routing and construction of this new network, but many of our remote facilities and operations enjoy enhanced Internet access and network connectivity,” said ODOT’s Director of Capitol Programs Tim Gatz. “Now that it’s operational, OCAN will have an important role in helping us take full advantage of the benefits and efficiencies offered by advancements in transportation business, asset management, communications and traffic operations technologies and software.”

High-speed networks are critical to removing barriers for Oklahoma’s educational institutions, governments and service providers, making OCAN an essential component for growth and innovation in rural areas across the state. For more information, contact OCAN Program Manager SonjaWall at (888) 566-3638.

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Media Contact: April Goode
405.225.9251 april@onenet.net

Editors Note: A list of OCAN community anchor institutions follows this release

Community Anchor Institution – City – County

CLEET – Ada – Pontotoc County

East Central University – Ada – Pontotoc County

Western Oklahoma State College – Altus – Jackson County

University Center of Southern Oklahoma – Ardmore – Carter County

Atoka Memorial Hospital – Atoka – Atoka County

Mary Hurley Hospital – Coalgate – Coal County

Cameron University – Duncan – Stephens County

Duncan Public Library – Duncan – Stephens County

DPS-Highway Patrol Troop HQ – Durant – Bryan County

Southeastern Oklahoma State University – Durant – Bryan County

Redlands Community College – El Reno – Canadian County

DPS-Highway Patrol Troop HQ – Enid – Garfield County

Northern Oklahoma College – Enid – Garfield County

Northwestern Oklahoma State University – Enid – Garfield County

Choctaw Hospital – Hugo – Choctaw County

Southeastern Oklahoma State University – Idabel – McCurtain County

Cameron University – Lawton – Comanche County

Comanche Nation College – Lawton – Comanche County

Lawton Indian Hospital-Indian Health – Lawton – Comanche County

Eastern Oklahoma State College – McAlester – Pittsburgh County

Carl Albert State College – Poteau – LeFlore County

Carl Albert State College – Sallisaw – Sequoyah County

Southwestern Oklahoma State University – Sayre – Beckham County

Seiling Community Hospital – Seiling – Dewey County

Seminole State College – Seminole – Seminole County

Gordon Cooper Technology Center – Shawnee – Pottawatomie County

Connors State College – Warner – Muskogee County

Jefferson County Hospital – Waurika – Jefferson County

Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribal College – Weatherford – Custer County

Southwestern Oklahoma State University – Weatherford – Custer County

Eastern Oklahoma State College – Wilburton – Latimer County

Northwestern Oklahoma State University – Woodward – Woodward County

Woodward Hospital – Woodward – Woodward County

6 Comments

  1. john kuykendall on January 16, 2014 at 12:23 pm

    Is there any opportunities for us as a contractor to provide any cabling for the high speed broadband to rural oklahoma?

    • April Goode on January 21, 2014 at 10:44 am

      Hi John,

      Thanks for your comment. I will share your information with our OCAN program manager, and she will be in touch with you regarding opportunities.

      April Goode
      OneNet Outreach Coordinator

  2. Patsy Jones on March 21, 2016 at 12:47 pm

    Will this become available for individuals in rural areas of Sequoyah County? If so, when and who would be eligible.

    • Patsy Jones on March 21, 2016 at 12:48 pm

      Thank you for your time and consideration. Have a blessed day

    • April Goode on March 21, 2016 at 3:30 pm

      Hi Patsy,
      Thank you for your interest in OneNet and OCAN. OneNet and OCAN services are available to colleges, schools, libraries, healthcare providers, government agencies and similar organizations in Sequoyah County. Our services are not available to individuals or private businesses. We can offer you a list of Internet service providers in your area if this would be helpful.
      Best,
      April Goode
      Director of OneNet Strategic Planning and Communications

  3. Susan Lewis on July 15, 2017 at 11:18 am

    We would sure like to have a list of internet service providers in our area, if that is still available. We are in Sequoyah County on highway 101, 11 miles north and east of Sallisaw, OK.

    Respectfully,

    Susan Lewis

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