Alaska needs a broadband office, task force tells governor

To understand what’s “likely the most unreliable,” level of broadband coverage in the country, Alaska should open a statewide broadband office and prioritize data-driven infrastructure spending, a task force of state legislators, agency executives, rural officials and tribal leaders concluded. The task force, which has met monthly since July, concluded the state can improve by opening a dedicated broadband-deployment office to oversee internet-connectivity efforts, especially those related to health care, education, and tribal communities. The 14-member group also recommended the proposed office be overseen by a statewide advisory board, as well as regional planning committees to represent local interests. Any future broadband expansion projects should be data-driven and focus on equity and affordability. Alaska doesn’t keep broadband coverage maps of its own and the task force recommended that any new broadband office do so.