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Guthrie library upgrades broadband to 500 Mbps; state withholds part of e-rate funding
Summary
The Guthrie Public Library upgraded its Internet service to 500 Mbps through OneNet but the state Commerce Department found the selected bid outside its 125% threshold and flagged the request as exceeding what it deemed necessary, resulting in partial withholding of e-rate funds and a roughly $55 monthly cost to the library.
Cameron, the Guthrie Public Library director, told the advisory board on Nov. 20 that the library upgraded its broadband service from about 200 megabits per second to 500 Mbps through vendor OneNet to meet growing patron demand.
The state Commerce Department "dinged" the application for two reasons, Cameron said: it deemed the request for bandwidth larger than necessary for the service area and found the selected offer was not within 125% of the lowest reasonable bid. Cameron said he had argued that many people in Logan County lack reliable broadband, citing Oklahoma Broadband Office data, and that OneNet offered more than double the speed at nearly the same price.
Cameron said OneNet declined to seek reconsideration after the agency identified a technically lower bid. As a result, some e-rate funding was withheld and the library will cover a small share of equipment and service costs, about $55 per month. "We were getting over twice as much speed for almost the same price," Cameron said, arguing the upgrade improved service and that patron Internet use has risen about 50% since the upgrade.
Board members asked clarifying questions about long-term costs; Cameron said he will defer planned software upgrades and use available state funds to cover the shortfall. No formal motion or vote on the upgrade was recorded during the meeting.
Next steps: the director will continue to monitor any further correspondence from the state and OneNet and report back to the board at a future meeting.
