Osage Innovative Solutions has subcontracted with Oklahoma City-based AtLink to provide broadband internet service to the Grayhorse and Bowring communities.
At the Jan. 27 Osage LLC Board of Directors meeting, OIS Director Jim Trumbly introduced “Osage Broadband Powered by AtLink,” and indicated internet would be provided through an OIS network with AtLink serving as the operations partner.
“They’re going to provide a comprehensive turnkey solution,” Trumbly said.
AtLink will provide marketing, accounting, billing, collection, customer service, troubleshooting, installation of fiber and WiFi to homes in the Grayhorse and Bowring areas, FCC reporting, recruit and train staff, and give preference to Osage tribal members. They will also host an online store for subscribers to purchase online products such as Apple TVs and Ring Doorbells.
The contract calls for a seven-year term with an option for an additional three years. After the first six months, the two parties will develop a profit-sharing model. The plan is to transition operational responsibilities to OIS toward the end of the contract.
“They’re going to be doing all the heavy lifting,” Trumbly said. “But as we build our capabilities, we’ll shift responsibility from AtLink to OIS.”
The contract was approved by the Osage LLC board of directors. OIS is a subsidiary company of Osage LLC.
Upon final approval by the board, Freeman said: “That is exciting. Just think, when we took these grants there were people thinking we were never going to get this done.”
The broadband project was funded through a $3 million Community Connect Grant from the USDA’s Rural Utilities Service and $450,000 of Osage Nation funds.
