CVEC Fiber, LLC. A wholly owned subsidiary of Canadian Valley Electric Cooperative

PROJECT PURPOSE

The request will construct a 100% fiber to the premise network in the very rural southernmost part of McIntosh County. The grant would cover the area served by Canadian Valley Electric Cooperative and the remote communities of Hanna, Ok and Vernon, Ok. This grant does not include the City of Eufaula. CVEC Fiber, LLC has submitted a separate grant with the State to cover Eufaula. The FTTH network will offer a XGS PON solution with 2.4 gigabit symmetrical broadband to the home. This area of McIntosh County has a strong need to have improved broadband infrastructure to ensure a work from home career opportunity is accessible to alleviate poverty conditions. There is currently no availability to adequate broadband in this area of the county. Based on our communication with the McIntosh 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 McIntosh County. This request is supported by McIntosh County Commissioners and the surrounding rural communities within the county.

EVIDENCE

None

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

McIntosh County has seen a decline in population over the past several years. It is a concern that this trend will continue if the ability to work from home is not an option. Currently, the southernmost part of McIntosh 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.

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