Alaska's Plan to Address Broadband Adversity

laska’s residents know what adversity looks like when it comes to accessing high-speed internet. The scale of unserved and underserved communities across Alaska is an obstacle to community and economic development, particularly for Tribal and rural communities. With federal resources and strong collaboration with Tribal partners, the nonprofit sector serving Alaska’s most vulnerable communities, and cities and boroughs, the State of Alaska is working toward changing this landscape. The Alaska Broadband Office released its draft Digital Equity Plan to the public in November 2023, detailing a statewide effort to close the digital divide. The state's plan is open for public comment until December 9, 2023. A key charge of the Digital Equity Act is to listen and learn from some of the country’s most vulnerable, difficult-to-reach populations—Americans who experience challenging physical, language, economic, and cultural barriers every day. Outreach to these populations is difficult under any circumstances but accomplishing it in Alaska—where travel to a “neighboring community” often requires a flight, boat ride, and a 4-wheeler—required a unique approach. Three teams played key roles in developing and drafting Alaska’s Digital Equity Plan: The Core Planning Team, the Working Group, and the Steering Committee (collectively called the ConnectAK Planning Team).