Article Author:
Associated Press
Mark Thiessen
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA (AP) — The state of Alaska has launched a new federal program to extend high-speed internet to underserved rural areas. , will receive at least $100 million. It will expedite staff development, officials said Tuesday.
Alaska Republican Senator Dan Sullivan coordinated summits with state, federal and tribal officials in Anchorage to ensure both parties were on the same page moving forward. . Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy signed into law at the summit to establish Broadband His Office to help coordinate between all entities.
Mr. Sullivan said, "This incredible opportunity in front of us is to connect every corner, every village, every community in Alaska to broadband and other Internet activities. Seizing the opportunity is key.”
The $65 billion federal infrastructure package includes $65 billion in access to affordable, reliable, high-speed Internet access for all Americans through the Internet for All program. I am making the internet available. Sullivan said Alaska could ultimately receive more than $2 billion from him through this and other programs.
Alan Davidson, Assistant to the U.S. Department of Commerce and Administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, said during a roundtable and subsequent visit to Fairbanks on Monday: I've seen and heard about the need. Tanana Village.
"The need for affordable, reliable, high-speed internet is huge, and the challenge of reaching the unconnected here is immense," said David. There are research needs, Song said at a press conference before flying to Bethel.
While in Fairbanks, he announced his $50 million grant to Doyon Regional Corp. as part of the tribe's broadband connectivity program. He said the funding will help connect hundreds of households in 23 Alaska Native communities to state-of-the-art Internet services.
Hundreds of tribes applied for grants last year. That's five times more money than the agency could accommodate, but Davidson announced during his visit to Anchorage that he would inject $1 billion into it. He said he was able to approve many of the applications he received last year without forcing the tribe to reapply.
He also said an agreement was reached with the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs to simplify the permitting process.
Asked when Alaska Native villages would have high-speed internet, Mr. Sullivan explained that it was a five-year plan, although some areas have more than others.
"We need to plan for it, coordinate it, and hit the five-year long goal of connecting everyone in the state." said Sullivan.
