August 10, 2022

Alaska Communications

Alaska Communications will provide home internet to educators, students and families in 10 villages in the Lower Yukon School District (LYSD) using hybrid satellite technology. In addition to providing middle mile satellite connectivity, Alaska Communications is collaborating with New Horizons Telecom to design and install the equipment needed to deliver internet access directly to students' homes in their villages in western Alaska. The communities served include Alakanuk, Emmonak, Hooper Bay, Kotlik, Marshall, Mountain Village, Nunam Iqua, Pilot Station, Russian Mission and Scammon Bay. These are some of the most remote and hard-to-serve communities in Alaska. Most of this project is funded by the Emergency Connectivity Fund, a FCC program to help schools and libraries support remote learning in underserved communities. LYSD applied for and received the funding with Alaska Communications as its chosen service provider. Service will be available at no cost to students, school staff and library patrons in the school district's service area through June 30, 2023. Service will be available this fall. Eligible residents will sign up for their home internet service directly with LYSD. Alaska Communications also provides fiber connectivity to LYSD's Kusilvak Career Academy in Anchorage. This academy provides an opportunity for rural students to receive career tech courses through a partnership with the Anchorage School District. Alaska Communications, an affiliate of ATN International, provides advanced broadband and managed IT services for businesses and consumers in Alaska.