News
Centranet, an Oklahoma electrical cooperative, is celebrating a critical milestone after establishing a 50Gbps fiber internet connection during a commercial trial for a tribal nation.
By: Brad Randall, Broadband Communities
Photo courtesy of Centranet
One of the fastest internet connections available globally was established during a recent live commercial trial involving a tribal nation in Oklahoma.
The connection, established by Centranet to a pilot member of the Sac and Fox Nation, was completed using Nokia’s Lightspan fiber solution.
In an announcement this week, Nokia called it the first live commercial trial of 50G PON technology in a tribal nation.
Randle Carter, the principal chief of the Sac and Fox Nation, said the tribe has pursued enhanced connectivity “to enhance the availability and the viability for our tribal members to access fiber optic opportunities, not just now, but in the future.”
The news also marks further momentum for Centranet, a subsidiary of the Central Rural Electric Cooperative.
According to Mark Prather, Centranet’s president of fiber and technology, the organization has deployed 3,300 miles of fiber in North-Central Oklahoma over the past three years.
“Bringing high-speed broadband to the Sac and Fox Nation, as well as other tribes and underserved areas has been a priority for us,” Prather said. “This project is about more than just technology—it’s about ensuring that everyone in our community has the tools and opportunities they need to thrive in today’s digital world.”
Mark Klimek, the vice president of Nokia’s North American business center, also offered comments in Nokia’s announcement.
Kilmek said Nokia’s Lightspan MF fiber solution “supports a full range of PON technologies,” which allows them to be mixed and matched on the same platform.
“This is critical for those who want to future-proof their fiber network and gain the flexibility to address evolving network demands,” Kilmek said. “By partnering with Centranet, we are ensuring that every community, especially those who have been underserved for far too long, can access the opportunities that cutting-edge technology provides, now and for generations to come.”
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