Oklahoma Broadband Office Reopens Federal Program to Finish ARPA Buildout

Nov. 7, 2025 — Oklahoma’s broadband push advanced Monday as the state opened a new round of federal grant applications to connect 766 unserved homes and businesses.

The Oklahoma Broadband Office said the new Capital Projects Fund 2.0 round will stay open through Nov. 17, offering support for co-ops, utilities, and network operators willing to reach every address on the state’s updated project map. Officials said there is no maximum award, and bidders should submit their “best and final offer.”

The program’s scope reflects unfinished work from Oklahoma’s first CPF round, which allocated roughly $159 million in federal aid for last-mile construction. The broadband office said the remaining 766 sites became available after an earlier provider declined its award, prompting the state to reopen the window.

In May, the state’s broadband governing board approved $53 million in middle-mile projects under a separate American Rescue Plan stream, funding routes that will connect smaller networks to major internet backbones. Those projects are seen as key to reducing transport costs for rural providers.

Private investment has continued to reshape Oklahoma’s broadband market. 

In July, Hilliary Communications, a telecom operator serving rural communities across Oklahoma, announced plans to acquire TDS Telecom’s state network, expanding its footprint by roughly 35,000 addresses. The deal followed earlier consolidation among regional providers, including the 2023 merger that created 360 Broadband, combining Oklahoma-based 360 Communications with Texas’s 903 Broadband, underscoring how local and regional operators are positioning for growth ahead of major federal programs.

The Oklahoma Broadband Office said it will announce award decisions for Capital Projects Fund 2.0 applicants after the Nov. 17 deadline, with construction expected to begin once agreements are finalized later this winter.