Alaska is expecting infrastructure funds for broadband efforts

Alaska could receive more than $1 billion from the recently passed federal infrastructure package for high-speed broadband networks. According to Alaska Telecom Association executive director Christine O'Connor, that amount of funding would be “transformational.” “We’ve never seen an environment like this before for broadband,” she said. O’Connor was a member of a broadband task force established by Gov Mike Dunleavy (R-AK) that recently released a report on improving internet access. The federal package, supported by Alaska’s congressional delegation, is expected to provide more than $1 billion to the state for high-speed broadband. Funding also is expected for tribes across the country. The task force report says projects currently are underway that will bring new broadband service to more than 13,000 Alaskans in rural areas over the next two years. Among the task force's recommendations was that the state prioritize investing in fiber cables as the “gold standard” for new broadband networks. The group also proposed the formation of a state broadband office.