Alaska Communications is saying that over 23,000 rural Alaskans get access to high-speed internet thanks to broadband network expansion. The expansion is funded in part through the Federal Communications Commission Connect America Fund Phase II program. ACS, in 2021, launched or expanded high-speed service available to homes and businesses in Anchor Point, Delta Junction, Fairbanks, Homer, Hoonah, Kasilof, Nikiski, North Pole, Soldotna, and Sterling.
Bill Bishop, Alaska Communications President and CEO said:
“Many aspects of our lives today rely on a broadband connection. Our work to expand service to underserved areas means more Alaskans have access to telemedicine, economic and educational opportunities, and more. We’re excited about what 2022 has in store. Network expansions, new technologies and new federal funding programs will positively impact thousands of Alaskans. Consumer demand for broadband continues to grow and evolve. Our work is never done to improve services for Alaskans.”
Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce at Tuesday night’s KPB Assembly meeting:
“The IT Department have been in communication with Alaska Communications, specifically Heather Cavanaugh, and some of their working groups, they’ve made a request to the borough to hang some of their repeaters or antennas on a number of our borough buildings to improve internet service throughout the area and we’re under negotiations with them. We’ve met with them on the 18th and, really what we’ve requested is that there be some form of offset between services rendered by the utility and that the benefit of having additional new services provided to them via access to our buildings. Those negotiations continue.”
Under this expansion, Alaska Communications aims to offer speeds exceeding the bandwidth required by the Connect America Fund Phase II program.