Oklahoma Western Telephone Company

PROJECT PURPOSE

Hilliary Communications is requesting $5 million in ARPA funds to combine with $23,344,336 grant from the USDA ReConnect Program to fully fund the project, providing reliable, high-speed internet to more than 2,400 Oklahoma residents with no recurring cost to the state. With investments from the American Recovery Program Act funds, Hilliary Communications will be able to quickly improve the quality of life and expand opportunities for approximately 2,400 Oklahoma residents in Latimer and Le Flore counties, effectively future-proofing and securing affordable, high-speed internet access for these citizens for the foreseeable future. By connecting new service areas into our established network, valued over $100 million, we can effect change for these communities quickly and efficiently. With the ARPA grant, Hillary Communications will provide free internet for 10 years to local or state government entities within the reach of this project.

EVIDENCE

None

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

Latimore and LeFlore are two of Oklahoma?s most impoverished counties. As a traditionally underserved area, 34.5% of the population is enrolled in Medicaid, well above the state?s average. While more than 82% of residents report having a computer, nearly 10% fewer register as having a broadband internet subscription. This alone makes it a high priority for directing aid and technological advancement. The LeFlore project contains multiple health clinics that depend on reliable internet for record keeping, communications, running internal systems, sending and receiving lab work, and so much more. A lack of reliable internet can stall surgeries, disrupt routine check-ups, and restrict abilities to attend to virtual care appointments. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic arrived, the use of virtual medical visits by rural residents was on the rise. That modest lift skyrocketed mid-2020. To date, research indicates that for Medicare customers, telehealth visits saw an increase of 6,300% over the past two years with overall usage of virtual care increasing by 3,800%.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

We will prepare a report to highlight the number of homes passed, the number of homes served and the most common speed selected by the customer.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

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