On February 26, Dobson Fiber held a groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday, February 26, on the Courthouse lawn. The company announced plans to expand its fiber-optic internet services to the communities of Madill and Oakland, Okla.
This initiative aims to provide residents and businesses with access to high-speed internet, featuring speeds of up to 10 Gbps for residential customers and up to 100 Gbps for businesses. This expansion is part of Dobson Fiber's broader strategy to enhance connectivity across Oklahoma, including both rural and urban areas.
Francisco Maella, Dobson Fiber's CEO spoke about the company and its impact at the ceremony.
“Having served Oklahomans since 1936, we are excited to introduce the Madill and Oakland communities to the most advanced fiber network with the fastest residential speeds available nationwide,' Maella said. 'Our network deployments are initially designed to deliver up to 10 gigabits per second to residents we serve. This same network will be capable of delivering 100 gigabits within the next five years. Our commitment to launching innovative products and the latest technology is unwavering to the residents and businesses we serve.”
Dobson Fiber's Chief Strategy Officer, Jim Horsburgh, also spoke about the impact of the fiber optic on the community.
'We're delighted by the overwhelming support from our customers this year and are excited to extend Dobson Fiber’s presence to the majority of homes in Madill and Oakland, Horsburgh said. 'This expansion also has a large impact on local businesses with faster and more reliable connectivity to fuel their growth.'
The company's network currently spans over 6,500 route miles and serves more than 38 communities in Oklahoma and five in Arkansas. In addition to the Madill and Oakland projects, Dobson Fiber has been actively investing in network enhancements statewide.
Recent upgrades include the deployment of Ciena's 6500 Reconfigurable Line System, which increases network capacity and efficiency to meet the growing demand for data. These efforts underscore Dobson Fiber's commitment to bridging the digital divide and ensuring that communities like Madill and Oakland have access to reliable, high-speed internet services.
Fiber optics refers to the transmission of data, voice and images using light pulses through thin, flexible glass or plastic fibers. Unlike traditional copper cables, fiber optic cables consist of multiple thin strands of glass or plastic, each about the diameter of a human hair.
These fibers transmit data as light signals through a process known as total internal reflection. This means that light continuously bounces off the inner walls of the fiber, allowing it to travel great distances with minimal signal loss.
A fiber optic system typically consists of three main components. The transmitter converts electronic signals into light pulses. Optical Fiber carries the light signals. The receiver converts light pulses back into electronic signals.