AARP Oklahoma Expands Partnership with Oklahoma State University’s Digital Hotspot Program

AARP Oklahoma recently presented a $5,000 check to Oklahoma State University at the Fairview Library to expand high-speed internet access in the community with digital hotspots. The hotspots can connect to up to 10 devices and are available to check out, similar to checking out a book, and allow connectivity from any location.

“When we think about high-speed internet, it’s a game-changer,” said Sean Voskuhl, AARP Oklahoma state director. “We think about business and school, but it's also for social connectivity."

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Fairview Library Director Crystal Privette said the hotspots enable people to connect with friends and family, stay informed about community events, and provide access to healthcare resources.

“Our residents are using them for everything,” Privette said. “People were lining up for them before we even had them ready to roll out.”

Since 2017, AARP Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University’s Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service have collaborated to provide internet hotspots to public libraries in rural communities. The program impacts more than 4,200 Oklahoma residents and 36 libraries across the state.

OSU professor Dr. Brian Whitacre said Oklahoma ranks below the national average of households with internet connections. Connectivity rates of this year’s chosen communities range from 61 to 66%.

“When you do get good connectivity, and having people adopt and use it, that leads to things like higher income levels,” Whitacre said. “It leads to entrepreneurship, more civic engagement and more health improvement.”

Oklahoma Broadband Office executive director Mike Sanders projects Oklahoma to have a 95% connectivity rate by the end of this year.

“These are life-changing times for Oklahomans,” Sanders said. “The trajectory is only going to go up. Whether I live in Grove, Fairview, Boise City or Idabel, I can compete on the global market with Hong Kong, London and Paris.”

For more information about OSU’s hotspot program, contact Brian Whitacre, (405) 744-9825 or brian.whitacre@okstate.edu.