Solutions sought to bring more Oklahomans "online"

COMMISSIONER BODE ENCOURAGES EXCHANGE OF IDEAS TO CONTINUE IMPROVING THE STATE’S TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM

Luncheon to bring key business and state government leaders together to discuss ways to improve all Oklahoman’s computer literacy and access to the internet

When: Wednesday, May 10, 12 noon

Where: Petroleum Club, 100 N. Broadway, Oklahoma City

For two years, the Oklahoma Corporation Commission has worked closely with the telecommunications industry, government leaders and consumers to provide Oklahomans with a first rate telecommunication system. A first rate system provides everyone with high quality, reasonably priced, voice services, universal access to the internet and high speed data transmissions.

With support of the Governor and the Legislature, the Commission has written a new plan for telecommunications in Oklahoma. Bode said she sees the challenge to both industry and policy makers to make sure the tools of the Information Age reach all Oklahomans. Right now only about 26% of Oklahomans actually have access to the internet.

Clive Smith, President and CEO of New Deal, Inc. will speak. His company has developed software to bring new functionality to "obsolete" computers ranging from 286 to Pentium PC’s with the hope of offering more Oklahomans computer-internet reality.

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All news advisories and releases are available for downloading on the OCC web site at www.occ.state.ok.us