By John Dobberstein, Editor
Ground was broken Wednesday in Broken Arrow to begin Metronet’s $35 million project to build its first fiber-optic network in the state.
The network will deliver symmetrical, multi-gigabit internet speeds of up to 5 gigabits for residents and up to 10 gigabits for businesses, which city leaders and the Evansville, Ind.-based company believe will revolutionize the city’s digital infrastructure.
With Metronet’s 2-year construction plan officially underway, the first customers expected to be connected by the end of the year. Upon completion, Broken Arrow will join the ranks of the nation’s top digital cities as a Certified Gigabit City Powered by Metronet, the company said. The expansion into Oklahoma brings Metronet’s total footprint to 18 states and more than 300 communities.
Broken Arrow Mayor Debra Wimpee said the city learned a painful lesson during the COVID-19 pandemic when some students had difficulty trying to do their schoolwork from home, “and it just wasn’t quite working, and that’s when we really learned that we needed exactly you guys to be here with us.
“We’re dedicated to fostering economic development and creating more opportunities for our residents and their businesses. Metronet is a huge investment in our infrastructure through fiber optic Internet access that will propel our growth and bring significant advantages to our residents and local businesses.”
As construction progresses, Broken Arrow residents will see Metronet trucks throughout the area. Residents will receive communication by mail about construction activity in their neighborhood 30 days prior to starting. Additional messaging, such as yard signs, will also be provided to notify residents of when construction is beginning in their neighborhood. Metronet crews are identified by ID tags and branded Metronet vehicles.
Metronet plans to hire local market management positions, sales and customer service professionals and service technicians to support the Broken Arrow area. Those interested in joining the Metronet team can visit metronet.com/careers to search available positions and to submit applications.
For residents and businesses interested in Metronet’ services, Metronet Executive Vice President of Construction, Kyle Hamilton, advises them to watch Metronet’s website, metronet.com/ok/broken-arrow, to learn more and receive construction updates. Metronet is planning to do pre-sales to allow customers to order in advance. “That way, when we have their neighborhood ready, we’re coming out there and getting them hooked up,” he said.
Hamilton said he was pulling up to the event in his vehicle and someone asked what was going on, and he responded that fiber Internet was being built in the city. “He goes, ‘Thank God you’re here,’” Hamilton said.
“We all know through things like COVID how working from home and education became so important for our families. I don’t know about you guys, but I have two daughters and I have like a hundred devices connected to Internet at any given time. So those are the access points that we want to provide to this community.”
Jim Fram, interim president and CEO of the Broken Arrow Chamber and EDC, said high-speed Internet is now like what electricity was in the early 20th century, where it was thought of as something extra. “Well, broadband kind of moved in like that and it has very quickly become essential. And business and individuals and families cannot operate without it today. It is an essential product in our community.”
To celebrate the milestone, Metronet also presented a check for $10,000 to Broken Arrow Neighbors, which will help provide hundreds of families with basic needs assistance like emergency bags, meals, bill support, and so much more.
“Metronet’s donation will provide meals for Broken Arrow community members in need, prepare emergency food bags, and help neighbors when they need it most,” shared Megan Quickle, Broken Arrow Neighbors executive director.
“We are committed to serving our community with compassion, and Metronet’s thoughtful investment in our work will allow us to reach even more neighbors. We are appreciative of Metronet’s support in our mission and congratulate them on breaking ground in Broken Arrow.”
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