Lake Region Technology and Communications, a subsidiary of Lake Region Electric Cooperative based in Hulbert, Okla., has built over 3,000 miles of fiber-optic cable to serve rural areas in Cherokee, Wagoner, Muskogee, Rogers, and Mayes counties. 

With 90% of U.S. adults using the internet these days, we believe fast internet is no longer a luxury, it’s a necessity and the modern way of life. 

Electric cooperatives were originally formed to help meet members’ needs. In today’s world, there’s a clear demand for reliable, fast internet. Lake Region has stepped up and built a fiber network for rural communities that have been overlooked for years. Rural families in our service area currently have or will have access to legitimate high-speed, reliable internet. Families can now work from home, get an online education, stream movies and shows, listen to music, pin their next home renovation project, and live a modern life that is no longer held back by lack of internet or by poor availability of access.

The state of Oklahoma ranks 43rd in internet connectivity, well below most states. Cooperatives can play a significant role in helping the state to reverse this ranking. Lake Region Technology & Communication, for example, has been successfully operating and constructing a fiber network for over a decade. With this experience and workforce, we can provide internet service to surrounding communities and towns lacking a broadband connection. Lake Region has built relationships with many community leaders and received letters of support to expand their network into more rural towns and communities. 

Lake Region is focused in improving quality of life in eastern Oklahoma. The co-op has collected data from several people desiring the expansion of our network. Although these towns have internet service providers, the speeds are slow, customer service is poor, and the investment in infrastructure for growth is non-existent. 

Data shows the people of eastern Oklahoma counties are interested in a faster, more reliable internet provider. Lake Region is listening and is acting on it.