The Oklahoma Broadband Office’s (OBO) statewide broadband listening tour will be making a stop near you in the coming weeks and state officials are asking you to take part.

The “Let’s Get Digital: Oklahoma Broadband Tour” will pass through 17 cities and towns to gather public input for a five-year plan to connect the entire state to high-speed internet.

The tour kicked off May 8 and will continue through June 23 with meetings in all four corners and points in-between in Oklahoma.

Data shows more than 800,000 Oklahomans currently lack access to dependable high-speed internet service in Oklahoma.

That’s more than onein- five Oklahoma residents.

“Access to affordable and reliable high-speed internet service has become a necessity,” OBO Executive Director Mike Sanders said. “Our mission is to ensure every family, student, business, farmer and tribal community in Oklahoma has that access.”

A former state representative, Sanders is a Kingfisher High School graduate and lives here with his family.

“A key priority to ensure our mission is successful is to hear from and talk with Oklahomans who lack adequate service today,” Sanders continued.

“We welcome anyone with questions or concerns, or who wants to learn more about our efforts to attend one of the 17 meetings scheduled across the state in May and June.”

The public is encouraged to register at oklahoma.gov/ broadband/outreach for any of the stops on the tour, which will take place in the following cities and towns (Note: The first meeting was Monday, May 8, in Weatherford):

• May 11 at 4:30 p.m. – Enid

• May 12 at 1:00 p.m. – Stillwater

• May 15 at 4:30 p.m. – Vinita

• May 16 at 9:00 a.m. – Poteau

• May 18 at 4:30 p.m. – Broken Bow

• May 22 at 9:30 a.m. – Oklahoma City

• May 23 at 4:30 p.m. – Durant

• May 26 at 4:30 p.m. – Chickasha

• June 2 at 4:30 p.m. – Altus

• June 6 at 4:30 p.m. – Sallisaw

• June 8 at 4:30 p.m. – Sulphur

• June 9 at 4:30 p.m. – Lawton

• June 13 at 4:30 p.m. – Ada

• June 20 at 4:30 p.m. – Okmulgee

• June 22 at 4:30 p.m. – Goodwell

• June 23 at 4:30 p.m. – Woodward Residents, business owners, farmers and ranchers, leaders, members of tribal communities, and representatives for schools, hospitals, nonprofits, and other community organizations are encouraged to attend, Sanders said.

For questions regarding the broadband listening tour, the public is encouraged to email or call MJ Barton, Tribal & Programs Outreach Manager, OBO at mj.barton@broadband. ok.gov or (405) 517-2393.