TDS® approved for another federal broadband stimulus project in Oklahoma

Today’s news is third award for TDS in Okla. this month.

Vice President Joe Biden announced earlier today that TDS Telecommunications Corp. (TDS®) has been approved for a $4.8 million broadband expansion project through the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) in Okla. This marks the third RUS broadband stimulus project TDS has received approval for in Okla. this month.

Today’s RUS award to TDS, for Oklahoma Communication Systems, Inc. (OCSI), will bring high-speed Internet services to residents and businesses near Inola, Bristow, Fletcher, and Cyril. Earlier this month TDS learned its applications for Mid-America Telephone, Inc. and Wyandotte Telephone Company had been approved.

“This is more great news for our Oklahoma customers and employees,” says Dave Wittwer, president and CEO of TDS Telecommunications Corp. “It also brings us one step closer to delivering reliable and affordable high speed Internet service to some of our most difficult to reach customers in the state.”

TDS estimates 143 people (contractors and some permanent positions) will be put to work in the state; construction of the network may take up to 36 months.

As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, TDS submitted 46 applications in the second round of broadband stimulus funding availability in March. Coupled with the Aug. 4, 2010 RUS announcement, TDS has now received approval for 41 of the projects totaling $121 million for broadband expansion in 19 states. TDS will receive $90.8 million in federal grants and provide $30.3 million of its own funds to complete the projects.  

More approvals could be forthcoming as the RUS continues its work to meet the September 30, 2010 statutory deadline requiring the agency to distribute all $2.6 billion in federal broadband stimulus funding under their jurisdiction.

This month’s announcements follow TDS’ success in round one. The company received $12.5 million in grants to construct and expand its broadband networks in Chatham, Mich. and Butler, Ala. Construction began recently and both projects are on track to be completed in 2012.

A breakdown of the numbers:

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For more information contact:
 DeAnne Boegli, National PR Manager
 TDS Telecommunications Corp.
deanne.boegli@tdstelecom.com
 608-664-4428 / 608-225-2472

TDS Telecommunications LLC (TDS Telecom/TDS®) delivers high-speed internet, TV entertainment, and phone services to a mix of small to mid-sized urban, suburban and rural communities throughout the U.S. With 1.1 million connections, TDS’ mission is to create a better world through its communications services. Powered by fiber-optics and new industry-leading technologies, TDS delivers up to 8 Gigabit internet speeds and offers internet-protocol based TV entertainment solutions along with traditional phone services. TDS also offers businesses VoIP advanced communications solutions, dedicated internet service, and data networking services. Visit tdstelecom.com.

TDS Telecom, headquartered in Madison, Wis., employs 3,300 people and is a subsidiary of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. [NYSE: TDS]. Founded in 1969, Telephone and Data Systems provides wireless, broadband, video and voice services to approximately 5 million connections nationwide through its businesses: UScellular and TDS Telecom. Visit tdsinc.com.

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