Small Town News

Broadband Boost

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Our oklahoma

Like highways, phone service or electricity, broadband Internet service has become a vital part of our nation's infrastructure and an important tool in education, business and economic development.

Earlier this month, it was announced that the State of Oklahoma won a federal grant of $74 million to expand broadband service in our state. These funds will be used to provide more broadband infrastructure in unserved and underserved areas of the state.

While the U.S. was once a leader in broadband service, our country now lags behind other developed nations in both speed and access. Developing broadband service in rural areas is particularly challenging.

With the federal funds, Oklahoma can lay more than 1, 000 miles of fiber-optic cable along highways and interstates in 33 counties. Those cables will help connect broadband systems at anchor institutions like public schools, universities, hospitals and police stations.

The Internet, a luxury only a few years ago, has become a necessity in today's world. These broadband funds will aid Oklahoma in its efforts to recruit business and industry to rural parts of the state. More importantly, increased broadband Internet access will benefit Oklahoma's children.

Today, being competitive in the marketplace requires broadband access. Businesses need broadband Internet access to communicate with suppliers, distributors, partners and customers, or to connect colleagues from around the country.

In education, broadband Internet access opens a new world of possibilities for our students. Rural school districts may be limited in the courses they are able to offer students, but with a broadband connection, the possibilities for new courses are limitless.

By putting today's technology in the classroom, and providing a portal for knowledge from around the world, we can prepare Oklahoma's students to compete for jobs in the 21 st century marketplace.

If you have questions or comments, please write me at the Office of the Governor, Room 212, Oklahoma City OK 73105 or visit the "Contact the Governor" section of my website, www.governor.ok.gov.



Copyright 2010 Heavener Ledger, Heavener, Oklahoma. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.

© 2011 Heavener Ledger Heavener, Oklahoma. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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