5 minute read
Game Changer
OEC Fiber turns a dream into reality
We’ve all imagined living in our dream home. Picked out paint colors, planned out the landscaping and envisioned family photos covering the walls. But few of us have spent time daydreaming about the utilities.
It’s common to assume having access to things like the internet and phone services are a given. Now imagine moving into your dream home, but then not having access to the services you thought you would? This was the reality for Kelly Collyar, of Norman, and his family.
“My wife and I bought our dream home a little over three years ago,” Collyar said.
The property they purchased had everything they dreamed of. A beautiful home on a good chunk of land with plenty of space for raising animals. It was an idyllic setting for their family.
Then they learned that their dream had the potential to become a nightmare.
“[Internet] was something you don’t ask about when you move into your dream home,” said Collyar.
Well-populated areas such as Norman can easily take internet access for granted. It’s often thought to be like electricity or water. All you have to do is call and get it turned on or connected. Finding that you don’t have access to such an essential service is disappointing to say the least and can hold unforeseen complications.
“It was on the front end of the Covid-19 pandemic. The world shut down, and they were going to start classes [online]. My kids couldn’t do it. My kids can’t go to school because we can’t [video conference]. We don’t have the bandwidth,” Collyar explained.
Not only could his children not fully participate in their classes, working from home was nearly impossible. Collyar was forced to drive into town to access public networks for conference calls for months.
This frustrating form of living is unsustainable for most people. Then, during a school break, OEC Fiber became available in their area and changed their reality.
“When they started school the next semester, it was life-changing. Now we had OEC Fiber, and they were able to interact, participate, ask questions. It was a game changer for us,” said Collyar.
Internet wasn’t the only service they suddenly found themselves in need of when they moved seven miles to the east. Access to dependable home phone service was a top priority for Collyar and his family, but it was nearly unattainable.
“We have no cell service [in our home]. Zero bars. I have a special needs child. What if anything had happened? What if we need to call 911? Some people said just internet call. You don’t have internet; you can’t do that. [With OEC Fiber], now we’re always connected.”
Apart from the peace of mind these services have brought to their home, Collyar and his family were able to use their newfound connectivity to “cut the cord” on their less desirable TV option in favor of a more affordable streaming service.
“When you need TV the most is when it goes out,” he said of his previous provider. “Our [TV service] went out every time there was a storm. Every time there was a weather event. Well, guess what. Our fiber does work.
Having access to reliable internet and phone service has revolutionized life in the Collyar home, but it’s not just the connectivity that has opened a world of possibilities for them. Switching to OEC Fiber has also left more room in the budget.
$200 a month, and our service is better. I would have given anything to have this level of service and paid any price before it was available. Now, I’m getting it, and I’m actually paying less,” Collyar said.
High quality, reasonably priced services are something we all desire. OEC Fiber is committed to providing that to all our subscribers. Our job is to improve their quality of life, not make things more difficult.
“The best thing you could say about your internet is you don’t have to think about it. When you don’t have to consider it, that’s when you know it’s good,” Collyar said. “It really is a lifestyle change.”
Having the home of your dreams shouldn’t include you being desperate for service or breaking the bank to get an unreliable one. OEC Fiber is here to ensure that all our subscribers have the connectivity they need to enjoy the life they’ve always dreamed about.
To learn more about how OEC Fiber can bring you one step closer to the connectivity and reliability you deserve, visit www.OECFiber.com today. We’ve got you covered.
