CVEC Fiber, LLC

PROJECT PURPOSE

The request will construct a 100% fiber to the premise network in the very rural southernmost part of Lincoln County. The grant would cover the area served by Canadian Valley Electric Cooperative and the remote communities of Sparks and Meeker. This grant does not include the City of Prague. CVEC Fiber, LLC will submit a separate grant with the State to cover Prague. The FTTH network will offer a XGS PON solution with 2.4 gigabit symmetrical broadband to the home. This area of Lincoln County has a strong need to have improved broadband infrastructure to ensure a work from home career opportunity is accessible to alleviate poverty conditions. Based on our communication with the Lincoln County Commissioners, the need for reliable high-speed broadband is essential to the prosperity of their county. The pandemic has made it extremely difficult for rural students to do their online schoolwork while the schools were shut down. Rural students had to drive to find broadband as it was not available at their homes. The lack of broadband has severely impacted education, economic development, and general ability to communicate for the rural residents of Lincoln County. This project will benefit approximately 15,700 Oklahomans.

EVIDENCE

None

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

? The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of broadband connectivity. Students have transitioned to online learning, and many professionals have shifted to teleworking arrangements. Currently, the southernmost part of Lincoln County is without a reliable broadband provider. The students, who have a high majority level of economic hardship, have struggled to maintain an educational connection with the schools during the pandemic. The fiber to the home broadband would address the root causes of the education breakdown. Healthcare is lacking and a high-speed internet connection would allow virtual doctor visits for our aging population. With high levels of poverty in Native populations, many do not have access to pay for high-speed internet to be brought to their homes and businesses without support. The network proposed in this grant would be eligible for Lifeline and Federal subsidies for those who qualify. Our focus to serve rural areas that other subsidized investor owned providers would not is what sets us apart.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

Project performance will be provided using a random sample test performed during peak hours for 1 week, once a quarter, using a combination of on-premise router test data and Ookla speed test data. CVEC Fiber, LLC will demonstrate network and project viability by demonstrating the following: ? Take rate of 15% or greater ? System uptime demonstrating 99% availability ? Project summary of progress using maps and overview ? 150/150 Mbps available across the entire project relevant to test area ? Project support letters and satisfied customers testimonials

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

Able to continue operation without additional funding from the State of Oklahoma