Metronet Brings 100% Fiber Internet to Tulsa: Next-Gen Connectivity Arrives in Oklahoma

Metronet has announced the expansion of its high-speed fiber network to Tulsa, Oklahoma, setting the stage for a major digital upgrade across the region. This move introduces Tulsa residents—including The Resident—and businesses alike to a dedicated, 100% fiber infrastructure designed to deliver multi-gigabit speeds with symmetrical upload and download capability.

Surrounding communities such as Broken Arrow stand to benefit as the rollout drives connectivity across the Tulsa metropolitan area, reinforcing the region’s position as an emerging tech and innovation hub. With Oklahoma's surge in remote work, digital education, and smart technologies, the demand for high-performance internet has never been higher—and Metronet’s expansion speaks directly to that momentum.

How will this shift affect the local economy, daily life, and long-term development? The answers are already forming as trenches begin and fiber cables move into place across Tulsa's neighborhoods.

What Makes Fiber Optic Internet a Game Changer

What Is Fiber and How Does It Work?

Fiber optic internet delivers data using pulses of light transmitted through strands of glass or plastic that are thinner than a human hair. Unlike copper cables used in DSL or coaxial cable networks, fiber optics carry data at nearly the speed of light. This allows for dramatically higher bandwidth and lower latency.

Fiber vs. DSL and Cable: A Performance Breakdown

Comparing fiber optic internet to other broadband technologies highlights the gap in performance.

• Download and upload speeds: Fiber networks offer symmetrical speeds—downloads and uploads can both exceed 1 Gbps. In contrast, most cable connections cap uploads at around 20–50 Mbps, and DSL often delivers less than 100 Mbps total.
• Latency and packet loss: Fiber networks experience lower latency and fewer interruptions. While cable networks can become congested during peak hours due to shared bandwidth, fiber connections maintain consistent performance.
• Signal degradation: Electrical interference and distance affect DSL and cable signal quality. Fiber maintains full strength over longer distances, which is critical for residents in larger homes or multi-unit dwellings.

Daily Relevance: Speed, Reliability, and Future-Proof Design

Fiber infrastructure directly impacts how individuals and businesses function day-to-day. Streaming 4K content, video conferencing, gaming, cloud-based work—all demand high-speed, stable connectivity. Fiber handles multiple high-demand users simultaneously without lag or buffering.

Unlike DSL or cable, fiber networks are architected to scale with demand. As more devices connect per household and digital workloads intensify, fiber's capacity ensures users won't outgrow their service. This positions fiber as a future-ready solution that won't need constant upgrades to meet evolving digital needs.

Enabling the Connected Home and Remote Work Revolution

Smart thermostats, voice assistants, surveillance systems, smart appliances, and EV chargers all rely on stable, low-latency internet. Fiber provides the backbone for advanced home automation by minimizing connection dropouts and response delays.

For remote professionals and students, upload capacity is often essential. Fiber supports smooth experiences for virtual meetings, large file transfers, cloud development environments, and digital collaboration. Households no longer make trade-offs between multiple users—fiber handles concurrent demand without argument.

Building Tulsa’s Digital Future: Metronet's Broadband Infrastructure Push

Large-Scale Fiber Expansion Targeting Tulsa and Broken Arrow

Metronet has launched a bold broadband infrastructure initiative to bring 100% fiber optic internet to Tulsa and its surrounding areas. The rollout targets not only central Tulsa but also incorporates neighboring communities like Broken Arrow, extending high-speed connectivity well beyond city limits. This expansion builds on Metronet’s growing Midwest presence and positions Oklahoma as a frontrunner in next-generation internet access.

Phase-by-Phase Rollout and Project Scope

The construction process began in early 2024, with multi-phase deployment expected to continue over 24 to 36 months. In its initial stage, Metronet is deploying over 1,000 miles of fiber-optic cable to service tens of thousands of homes and businesses. The project's engineering framework was designed around maximizing efficiency with minimal disruption—using microtrenching and directional boring technologies to reduce surface impact.

By the time the full network comes online, broadband coverage will have reached thousands of premises across Tulsa and Broken Arrow. Each phase will activate service for new zones, with residents notified in advance through direct mail and digital updates.

$100+ Million Commitment to Fiber Infrastructure

Metronet’s investment in the Tulsa region exceeds $100 million, driven entirely through private capital. This includes the funding of construction labor, equipment procurement, environmental assessments, permitting, and ongoing maintenance. Local subcontractors are engaged throughout the process, generating jobs and reinvesting in the regional economy.

Construction hubs are already operational, with crews installing backbone networks through key corridors before branching into residential blocks. Alongside certain city infrastructure upgrades and mapping partnerships, the project integrates seamlessly into Tulsa’s utility systems.

Aligning with Statewide Broadband Goals

This deployment aligns with broader initiatives outlined in the Oklahoma Broadband Office’s strategic plan, which targets universal coverage by 2028. According to the Oklahoma Broadband Office’s 2023 Annual Report, over 30% of rural Oklahomans still live without reliable high-speed internet. Metronet’s expansion directly addresses that gap, moving the state closer to federal and state connectivity benchmarks.

By expanding into underserved and overlooked neighborhoods, Metronet adds competitive pressure to traditional telecoms while facilitating greater infrastructure parity across diverse communities. The Tulsa rollout marks another step in Oklahoma’s “Broadband for All” mission, reinforcing digital equity as a statewide priority.

Expanding Access: High-Speed Internet for Every Tulsa Resident

Fiber Connectivity Reaches Underserved Neighborhoods

Metronet’s fiber network expansion into Tulsa directly addresses internet inequality by bringing high-speed service to areas that have historically lacked reliable broadband. In several North and East Tulsa neighborhoods, broadband penetration has stayed below state and national averages. According to the FCC's latest Broadband Deployment Report, over 13% of Tulsans live in census blocks with no access to internet speeds above 25 Mbps. Fiber deployment will eliminate that disparity by introducing symmetrical gigabit speeds to thousands of homes.

The installation of a 100% fiber infrastructure means not only faster downloads but also future-proofed access—for everyone, not just the tech-savvy or affluent. In neighborhoods like Turley, Crutchfield, and sections of West Tulsa, fiber infrastructure will deliver capacity that supports both basic browsing and high-bandwidth functions on multiple devices simultaneously.

Enhancing Everyday Digital Life

• Streaming without buffering: Residents will stream HD and 4K content on Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube, even when multiple households connect at once.
• Education with zero interruptions: Students using Google Classroom, Zoom, or Canvas platforms will attend classes and submit assignments without lag or dropped connections.
• Telehealth you can rely on: Patients in telemedicine appointments will experience clearer video and more stable communication, which increases accessibility and trust in virtual care.
• Home-based entrepreneurs flourish: From Etsy store owners to freelance developers, Tulsa’s home businesses will gain competitive upload/download speeds to operate globally without leaving their front doors.

The Resident at the Center of Innovation

For Tulsa's residents—parents juggling work and remote learning, seniors engaging in telehealth, or young professionals launching digital careers—fiber service changes the rhythm of daily routines. The lag between clicking and connecting disappears. Waiting for files to upload or buffering icons to vanish becomes a thing of the past. Households in the Kendall-Whittier or Gilcrease Hills neighborhoods will experience the same connectivity advantage as downtown lofts or suburban developments.

This expansion turns high-speed internet from a luxury into infrastructure. When every home can operate a smart TV, laptop, tablet, and phone on a connection that doesn’t blink, digital equity becomes real—not just a goal, but a lived experience across Tulsa's diverse neighborhoods.

Accelerating Tulsa’s Smart City Ambitions Through Fiber Connectivity

Fiber: The Digital Backbone of a Smarter Tulsa

Smart city development relies on seamless, high-capacity data transfer. Without a robust fiber network, initiatives such as real-time traffic management, connected infrastructure, and environmental monitoring face bottlenecks. Metronet’s fiber expansion into Tulsa lays the groundwork for scalable, citywide digital systems that require both ultra-fast connectivity and minimal latency.

Smart Infrastructure Enabled by Fiber

High-speed fiber optic infrastructure facilitates the integration of smart technologies across multiple layers of urban life. From city blocks to campuses, this connectivity empowers automated systems designed to optimize services and public resources.

• Smart traffic signals: Synchronize light patterns using real-time traffic data to reduce congestion and commuting time. These systems depend on low-latency networks to process information without delays.
• Public Wi-Fi access: Expand community connectivity in parks, transit stations, and busy corridors. Fiber backhaul ensures service stability and sufficient bandwidth for high-demand zones.
• Utility sensors and smart grids: Track water usage, detect pipe leaks, manage electric loads, and enable predictive maintenance. Fiber infrastructure ensures that these systems operate continuously and communicate instantly.
• Fleet tracking and smart buses: Provide location data and arrival estimates across the city. Fiber-connected hubs enhance scheduling accuracy and commuter experience.

Alignment With Tulsa’s Innovation Goals

Tulsa has positioned itself as a Midwestern hub for entrepreneurial innovation and technological advancement. The city’s Smart Cities Strategy places strong emphasis on integrating data-driven tools into infrastructure and civic services. Metronet’s fiber deployment aligns directly with this strategy by delivering the infrastructure needed to support it. Municipal plans identifying priority corridors for connected systems—including the Peoria Bus Rapid Transit and the Route 66 revitalization—will benefit from the unified, high-bandwidth capacity that fiber delivers.

By eliminating internet constraints, Tulsa can shift from reactive urban planning to proactive, intelligence-driven approaches. Fiber doesn’t just help smart cities function—it allows them to evolve.

Advancing Equitable Internet: Bridging Tulsa's Digital Divide

What Does Digital Inclusion Really Mean?

Digital inclusion refers to providing individuals and communities with access to information and communications technologies, regardless of income level, age, race, geography, or education. It encompasses three core components: affordable broadband internet, reliable devices, and digital literacy training. Without all three, individuals can't fully participate in today’s increasingly connected world. The implications are real—whether accessing health services, applying for jobs, or attending virtual classrooms, connectivity shapes opportunity.

Metronet’s Targeted Approach to Underserved Neighborhoods

Metronet’s expansion into Tulsa directly addresses the city’s broadband inequality by strategically building infrastructure in historically underserved districts. According to the American Community Survey (2019), around 17% of Tulsa households lack fixed broadband internet. By deploying 100% fiber-optic networks, Metronet aims to cut that percentage significantly, bringing high-speed connectivity to areas previously left behind by legacy cable providers.

Rather than focusing exclusively on commercial corridors or affluent zones, the company implements a planning model that evaluates connectivity gaps based on census tract data, poverty thresholds, and existing broadband metrics. As a result, the fiber rollout actively includes communities where internet adoption levels fall below the national average of 90% (Pew Research Center, 2021).

Prioritizing Low-Income, Elderly, and Rural Residents

• Low-income communities: Pricing models include tiered plans and discounted programs capable of easing cost barriers. Programs aligned with the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program allow qualifying families to receive subsidized service.
• Older populations: In retirement neighborhoods where residents often face isolation, Metronet’s symmetrical upload and download speeds support seamless video calling, telehealth access, and remote services.
• Rural outliers in Tulsa County: By extending fiber infrastructure beyond Tulsa’s urban core, Metronet addresses coverage gaps where DSL or mobile-only internet served as the norm. Custom trenching and aerial deployment methods enable flexible builds tailored to terrain and housing density.

Each demographic focus is integrated into project design from the earliest phases of planning. This ensures that no district is sidelined and that digital equity is not an afterthought, but a core outcome.

Fiber Fueling Economic Growth and Local Business Expansion

Igniting Entrepreneurship and Supporting Startups

A robust fiber network triggers a cascade of benefits for local economies. In Tulsa, the arrival of Metronet's fiber infrastructure will remove longstanding connectivity bottlenecks that have historically stifled innovation and scalability. Founders of tech startups and small enterprises rely on high-speed, low-latency internet to power cloud-based platforms, real-time collaboration tools, and data processing applications. With symmetric gigabit-speed internet, entrepreneurs no longer face disruptions during peak usage hours or delays in large data transfers. This creates a stable foundation for launching, iterating, and scaling businesses within Tulsa and Broken Arrow.

Co-working spaces such as 36 Degrees North and ACT House already play a key role in Tulsa’s startup ecosystem. With fiber connectivity, these innovation hubs can meet the growing demand for uninterrupted bandwidth by digital-first entrepreneurs, app developers, and remote teams requiring next-gen infrastructure for productivity-centric work.

Small and Medium Businesses, Supercharged

For SMEs, fiber access translates to direct operational advantages. Consider a local marketing agency uploading high-resolution video files for client campaigns — with gigabit fiber, this task completes in seconds rather than hours. Or think about a medical clinic in Broken Arrow using telemedicine platforms — fiber eliminates latency, allowing physicians to offer uninterrupted consultations.

• E-commerce retailers can manage higher traffic volumes during sales peaks without downtime.
• Architectural firms using cloud-based CAD tools benefit from near-instant rendering and improved design collaboration.
• Restaurants and coffee shops accommodating remote workers see increased patrons who rely on fast, stable Wi-Fi.

These are not theoretical advantages. Cities that deployed fiber networks — such as Chattanooga, Tennessee — documented a 3.1% increase in employment over a 10-year period directly associated with broadband expansion, according to the Fiber Broadband Association. Similar outcomes are within reach for Tulsa as fiber opens new lanes of digital commerce and efficiency.

Attracting Investment, Retaining Talent

Reliable high-speed connectivity stands as a key metric for companies evaluating new markets. Fiber availability affects relocation decisions for tech firms, logistics centers, and customer support operations. With Metronet's expansion, Tulsa gains a critical asset in its economic development toolkit — one that can tip RFPs in the city’s favor.

Moreover, as hybrid and remote work models become standard, cities without robust fiber risk losing top talent to better-connected competitors. Tulsa’s digital infrastructure will now support professionals whose careers demand seamless video conferencing, secure access to corporate networks, and cloud-native productivity. This encourages not only business relocation but also long-term resident retention.

Metronet's investment isn’t just a technological upgrade — it’s an economic catalyst with ripple effects across entrepreneurship, employment, and investment attraction. By breaking past bandwidth limitations, Tulsa positions itself as a midwestern leader in digital readiness and business vitality.

Metronet Redefines Internet Service in Tulsa

A Bold Approach from a New Breed of Provider

Metronet enters Tulsa’s broadband landscape not as another cable provider repackaging dated infrastructure, but as a 100% fiber-optic innovator. Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Evansville, Indiana, Metronet stands out among internet service providers for its deliberate expansion strategy focused on delivering symmetrical gigabit-speed internet using fiber directly to homes and businesses. This commitment reshapes what Tulsans can expect from their internet experience.

Beyond the Limitations of Cable

Traditional cable internet remains constrained by legacy copper lines and asymmetrical speeds. Download speeds may peak near advertised rates, but upstream performance lags. This becomes a bottleneck for video conferencing, cloud computing, and real-time collaboration tools. Metronet avoids this trap altogether by designing its entire network on fiber-to-the-premise (FTTP) technology. As a result, both download and upload speeds stay consistently high, even during peak usage hours.

Customer Experience as a Core Operating Principle

Metronet doesn’t treat customer service as an afterthought. It integrates support teams into the local community, opening physical offices and offering direct access to human agents familiar with neighborhood needs. Customers interact with a company embedded in their region—not a faceless national call center.

• Speed Options: Metronet gives users control, offering tiers ranging from 100 Mbps to multi-gigabit connections, each symmetric in performance.
• Affordability: Competitive pricing structures are designed to challenge the monopolistic pricing power of larger incumbents. No hidden fees or forced TV bundles.
• Reliability: Full-fiber networks sharply reduce service interruptions. Fiber is immune to the electromagnetic interference that frequently disrupts cable.
• No Data Caps: All residential plans come without usage limits, supporting ultra-connected homes and data-heavy applications.

A Future-Built Network

Metronet’s role extends beyond internet delivery—it signals a shift in how ISPs can prioritize transparency, technology, and individual user control. Tulsa now joins a growing list of cities benefiting directly from this customer-first, infrastructure-centered model. With fiber at its core, Metronet sets a new standard for what's possible in urban internet connectivity.

Bridging the Digital Divide: Connecting Tulsa’s Urban Core and Suburban Communities

Extending Fiber Access from Downtown Tulsa to Broken Arrow

Metronet’s expansion strategy takes aim at a unified digital ecosystem that spans Tulsa’s diverse geography. High-speed fiber connectivity, once concentrated in business-centric corridors, now extends outward—reaching both densely populated neighborhoods and fast-growing suburbs like Broken Arrow, Bixby, and Jenks. This deployment approach strengthens ties between the city’s economic center and its residential periphery.

In Tulsa's Midtown and Pearl District, fiber installation will reinforce high-demand commercial areas while broadening availability in residential zones. Simultaneously, Metronet lays the groundwork for full coverage in Willow Creek, Forest Park, and West Highlands—bringing gigabit speeds to homes where bandwidth bottlenecks have hindered remote work, education, and entertainment.

Geographic Deployment Zones and Installation Focus

• Downtown Tulsa: Business parks, government offices, and high-density apartment complexes joining the fiber grid
• North and East Tulsa: Historically underserved communities prioritized for residential fiber drops and network backbone upgrades
• Broken Arrow: Comprehensive suburb-wide rollout with dedicated coverage in Rose District, Country Aire, and Highland Park
• South Tulsa and Bixby: Deployment across mixed-use zones, including expanding retail corridors and new housing developments

Designing for Equitable Connectivity

This expansion isn’t clustered around affluence or commercial interest alone. Every neighborhood, regardless of average income or density, feeds into a city-wide digital network increasingly defined by parity. Metronet’s deployment plan avoids cherry-picking based on ROI forecasts and instead applies a deep-coverage model—even in lower-density zones where installation is complex.

Urban edge communities such as Turley and Prattville, often overlooked in traditional infrastructure rollouts, are part of Metronet’s mapped zones. This level of inclusivity ensures that fiber access isn't gated by ZIP code. In practical terms, students in westside neighborhoods gain the same gigabit-speed access as tech firms in the Cathedral District. And new developments in southeast Tulsa launch with fiber-ready capabilities from day one.

What areas do you think are most in need of faster internet access? Check the project’s published zones—your street might already be scheduled for installation.

A Brighter Digital Future for Tulsa

Metronet’s fiber network expansion isn't just an upgrade—it’s a digital turning point for Tulsa. Residents and businesses will experience faster internet speeds, broader access, and unprecedented opportunities in the digital economy. With symmetrical upload and download speeds reaching up to 2 gigabits per second, latency-sensitive applications like telemedicine, real-time design collaboration, and cloud-based education become seamless daily tools.

Neighborhoods once on the wrong side of the digital divide will gain full access to premium internet infrastructure. Public libraries, schools, and community centers throughout Tulsa and Broken Arrow will benefit from enterprise-level speeds, creating hubs of digital inclusion and innovation. Inclusion isn’t theoretical—it’s measurable in higher broadband adoption rates and expanded digital literacy programs.

The economic dividends of fiber infrastructure ripple outward. Local enterprises can scale operations without relocating. Startups gain the digital muscle to attract investors. Remote workers and freelancers can compete globally, supported by reliable, high-capacity connectivity. These are not abstract projections—they follow the same pattern seen in cities like Chattanooga, Tennessee, where fiber deployment led to an estimated $2.7 billion in economic benefits over 10 years (source: University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, 2020).

Metronet commits long-term to Tulsa and surrounding areas. This isn’t a rollout—it’s a partnership. With collaboration from city officials, neighborhood collectives, and utility departments, the company embeds itself into the connective tissue of Tulsa's growth strategy. Groundwork today accelerates tomorrow’s smart city features: integrated transit systems, intelligent traffic monitoring, and real-time energy usage data.

Imagine a community where connection strengthens not only devices but relationships, education, business, and governance. That’s no longer hypothetical for Tulsa—it’s in progress. The digital future isn’t arriving. It’s being built right now.