Oklahoma Broadband Official Vows 95% Coverage by 2028
Oklahoma is aiming to bring high-speed internet to 95% of its residents by 2028 in a major push to close the digital divide, said Oklahoma Broadband Office Executive Director Mike Sanders during a Fiber Broadband Association webinar Wednesday. Sanders outlined how the state is using a mix of federal funding, tribal partnerships and strategic planning to expand fiber coverage (see 2505050060). "We'll be north of that" 95% mark, Sanders said, "but it's going to take all the other federal programs and the flexibility for our state to achieve that."
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Sanders, who took the helm of the broadband office in 2022, said fiber coverage in Oklahoma has made major strides in the past decade. It reached just 3.2% of the state in 2013 and 11.6% by 2016. Today, the number stands at 64.2%, thanks to a combination of public funding, private investment and aggressive state planning, he said. The broadband office is set to sunset in 2028, which is when the state legislature directed it to achieve nearly universal coverage.
“We’re moving with urgency and purpose,” Sanders said. “We’ve come a long way in a short time, but we’ve still got a long way to go.”
To meet that deadline, Sanders said Oklahoma is drawing from a range of funding sources. While the state awaits its BEAD allocation, it has already begun projects funded by the Capital Projects Fund and State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. Sanders also cited additional support that will come from the USDA’s ReConnect program, the FCC’s Enhanced Alternative Connect America Cost Model program and NTIA’s Tribal Broadband Connectivity program.
“We’re not waiting,” Sanders said: “We’re using every available tool to get fiber in the ground now.”
He stressed the importance of layering multiple funding sources to maximize impact and avoid overbuilding. He also urged federal policymakers to grant states greater flexibility in how they administer programs like BEAD. “Every state has different terrain, different demographics, different challenges,” Sanders said: “One size does not fit all.”
One key factor in Oklahoma’s broadband strategy is how it partners with tribal nations, Sanders said. The state is home to 39 federally recognized tribes, with nearly two-thirds of its land being considered tribal. The broadband office has established a dedicated tribal liaison to ensure consistent communication and collaboration with tribal governments, he said.
“Tribal engagement isn’t just a checkbox; it’s fundamental to our success,” Sanders said: “It also allows us to waive match requirements under BEAD, which can accelerate project timelines.” Oklahoma's plan "is a step in the absolute right direction, but we will need others to join." He added that "it's amazing what happens when we build a coalition ... to make sure that we reach that goal and actually exceed that goal."
Although fiber is the priority for long-term infrastructure, Sanders acknowledged that other technologies like fixed wireless may be used in areas where deploying fiber isn’t practical. He emphasized that any non-fiber solutions must still meet the performance and scalability requirements set by the state.
As Oklahoma pushes forward, Sanders said, the focus remains on collaboration and efficient execution. The state has hosted listening tours, roundtables and stakeholder sessions to gather input from communities, providers and local officials.
“We’re making this happen the Oklahoma way,” he said: “The clock is ticking, and we’re not wasting a second.”