Oklahoma Advances Broadband Strategy Amid Federal Policy Realignment

Regulatory Shifts Prompt Strategic Adjustments in Oklahoma’s Broadband Deployment

Oklahoma is navigating a pivotal stage in its broadband expansion strategy, even as federal policy changes alter the parameters for how billions in infrastructure funding will be allocated. Leveraging both the $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program and earlier investments from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the state is positioning itself to connect historically unserved and underserved communities with modern, high-speed internet.

In August 2024, Oklahoma secured preliminary authorization for more than $797 million in BEAD funding. The Oklahoma Broadband Office (OBO) initially set a May 26, 2025 application deadline for Internet Service Providers (ISPs). However, a June policy directive from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) under the Trump administration rescinded prior project approvals and removed several Biden-era provisions—such as requirements for climate resiliency, workforce training, and net neutrality—prompting states to reopen portions of the application process.

Oklahoma completed this “Benefit of the Bargain” application round by July 23 and now faces a September 4 deadline to submit revised contract award proposals for NTIA review.

A Shift Toward Technology Neutrality

The updated BEAD guidance prioritizes technology-neutral evaluation, directing states to weigh proposals primarily on cost-effectiveness and deployment speed rather than on a predetermined infrastructure type. While the Biden administration favored fiber-optic networks for their superior speed and durability, the new rules give fixed wireless and low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite solutions—such as SpaceX’s Starlink—equal consideration.

Mike Sanders, OBO’s executive director, underscored the state’s focus on balancing fiscal prudence with performance outcomes.

“Our objective is to invest these public funds in the most efficient way possible, while ensuring rural Oklahomans receive the quality service they’ve sought for decades,” Sanders said. He added that fiber remains the “gold standard” for long-term resilience, particularly in a state prone to extreme weather events.

Misti Willock, vice president of strategic partnerships at Resound Networks, noted that geographic realities and population density often make fixed wireless or LEO satellites more practical in sparsely populated areas.

Competitive Dynamics in Deployment

Sanders maintains that fostering competition among providers and technologies will ultimately benefit consumers and encourage innovation. “Oklahomans deserve robust competition,” he said. “When providers compete, the technology advances.”

Even so, BEAD-funded construction in Oklahoma has yet to begin. Sanders attributes the delay to cumulative bureaucratic hurdles over the program’s first three years. Still, he expressed optimism that ground could be broken in early 2026, with service deployments beginning before the close of 2028.

ARPA-Funded Projects Provide Early Momentum

While BEAD awards remain pending, Oklahoma’s ARPA-backed broadband initiatives are well underway. The Legislature allocated $385 million in ARPA funds for expansion, resulting in 164 active projects statewide. According to Sanders, those projects have already removed 70,000 residents from the unserved or underserved list.

Resound Networks, a Texas-based ISP, received $21.1 million to build hybrid fiber and fixed wireless infrastructure across 14 Oklahoma counties. Willock emphasized that such capital infusions are essential to overcoming the economic constraints of rural markets, where lower take rates can deter private investment.

“These programs offset the substantial upfront capital costs,” Willock said, “making it possible to reach areas that would otherwise remain disconnected.”

Fiber Expansion in Rural Communities

Hilliary Communications, headquartered in Oklahoma, was awarded $43.2 million in ARPA funding to deploy fiber in 11 counties, connecting over 2,000 homes and businesses. The project will deliver service to the entire community of Bray—population 950—and is part of a broader commitment to rural connectivity.

“This project exemplifies our dedication to bringing high-speed internet to rural America,” said co-CEO Dustin Hilliary.

For a real-time view of these deployments, the Oklahoma Broadband Office Project Dashboard provides detailed progress updates.

Economic, Cultural, and Social Impacts

Data from the Center on Rural Innovation indicates that communities with high broadband adoption rates experience 213% greater business growth, 44% higher GDP growth, and 18% higher per-capita income.

For tribal nations, broadband access is also a matter of cultural preservation and community continuity. Julie Hubbard, communications director for the Cherokee Nation, emphasized that modern connectivity supports telehealth, online education, and remote employment—enabling citizens to remain in their ancestral communities while accessing essential services.

Yet, affordability remains a structural barrier. “Even where access exists, cost can be prohibitive,” Hubbard noted, citing the need for simplified enrollment in affordability programs such as Lifeline.

Looking Ahead: BEAD’s Potential to Reshape Oklahoma’s Digital Future

Willock believes BEAD’s scale could drive transformational change in Oklahoma’s economic and social landscape. “Broadband is the foundation of opportunity,” she said. “It opens doors to education, employment, and entrepreneurship.”

Sanders shares that vision. “This is about more than infrastructure,” he said. “It’s about quality of life—whether through improved healthcare, stronger education systems, or more resilient local economies.”

More on BEAD and Broadband

• More of our recent stories about BEAD and public broadband programs
• For up-to-date information on the $42 billion BEAD Program, check Brander Group’s BEAD funding progress dashboard