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Alaska Communications is set to embark on an ambitious Yukon River fiber project as they continue network builds across Alaska.
The Alaska FiberOptic Project, a collaboration between Alaska Communications and a group of companies known as the Alaksa Native Regional Corporations, will bring high-speed fiber internet to 21 communities in one of America’s most remote stretches: the Yukon River Basin.
Alaska Communications, a broadband provider headquartered in Anchorage, discussed the project as they announced plans to invest up to $40 million in 2024 to expand their facilities, and their network, across Alaska.
The company, which highlighted their latest efforts across the state with an announcement this week, said construction on a fiber network in the Yukon River region will begin this summer.
Matt McConnell, the president and CEO of Alaska Communications, discussed some of the company’s recent efforts around the state with comments included in the company’s release announcing their planned 2024 investments.
“We’re planning a fixed wireless pilot in Juneau that would deliver speeds up to 300 Mbps,” he said.
McConnell called fiber the “gold standard” but added the caveat that Alaska is also focused on “deploying the right technologies.”
“Like fixed wireless,” he said. “Which can be better suited for certain environments.”
Over the past 24 months, the company has deployed fiber to over 10,000 residences in Fairbanks and Anchorage, along with a deployment to a multi-dwelling unit in Juneau, the company’s announcement stated. Since 2017, the company reported it has deployed internet to roughly 25,000 underserved or unserved locations across Alaska.
As part of the Alaska FiberOptic Project, the company submitted requests for grant funding to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). According to the Alaska FiberOptic Project’s website, three of the four desired fiber routes have received funding.
The funded fiber projects, which will install fiber along the path of the Yukon and Kuskokwim rivers, began permitting in January 2023 and must be completed by the end of 2026, the Alaska FiberOptic Project’s website stated.
The project, a collaboration between Alaska Communications and Calista Corporation, Doyon Limited, and Gana-A ‘Yoo Limited, “will create new opportunities for residents,” according to the announcement from Alaksa Communications.
McConnell said the company, which invested $65 million in 2023, is looking forward to continued investment.
In total, 2023 saw Alaska Communications bring internet services to a plethora of communities across The Last Fontier. The firm listed Delta Junction, Fairbanks, Nenana, North Pole, Salcha, Nikiski, Anchor Point, Homer, Soldotna, and Ninilchik as communities where they deployed internet services last year.
“One of the reasons I joined Alaska Communications is because of the tremendous opportunity we have to improve Alaskans’ lives by providing affordable, reliable broadband,” McConnell said. “It’s hard to imagine life without reliable internet, but for many Alaskans, especially in rural areas, it has been the status quo.”
