Science Technology and Environment

Oklahoma Broadband Office urges residents to check their internet service

KGOU | By Xcaret Nuñez, OPMX

Published December 5, 2022 at 10:00 AM CST

The federal funds Oklahoma received from the USDA will help connect more than 8,000 people, 260 businesses and 130 farms to high-speed internet.

State Broadband Office warns billions of dollars towards securing high-speed internet for Oklahomans could be on the line if the Federal Communications Commission doesn’t receive accurate information on current internet access.

TheFederal Communications Commission recently released a map showing Oklahoma has 100% internet coverage.

Interim Director for the State Broadband Office, Kirk Martin said the FCC’s map lists there’s internet service available in areas where there isn’t any internet.

“We have reason to believe that some of the information listed on the site, especially in rural areas, is not accurate,” Martin said.

The state broadband office is urging Oklahomans, businesses, schools, libraries, churches and any other place with internet access to look up their address and check to see if the information the FCC lists on the map is accurate.

“If the final map contains bad information, thousands of Oklahomans could be left out,” Martin said.

Martin explained it’s important for the FCC to have accurate information because the final version of the map determines how much grant money Oklahoma would be eligible for when it comes to broadband infrastructure improvements from the federal government.

This report was produced by the Oklahoma Public Media Exchange, a collaboration of public media organizations. Help support collaborative journalism by donating at the link at the top of this webpage.