News about the Alaska FiberOptic Project
Fall 2024 Update
The Alaska FiberOptic Project is a collaboration between Calista Corporation, Doyon Limited, Gana-A 'Yoo Limited, Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) and Alaska Communications (the partners) to provide reliable, affordable broadband to communities along the Yukon and Kuskokwim Rivers. So far, funding has been secured to connect 15 villages.
The partners made the most of Alaska’s long summer days advancing this first-of-its-kind project forward.
Continue reading for a recap of our summer activities and next steps.
Pictured: The Yukon River at sunset.
Pictured: Fort Yukon resident, Dawson. “I think it will be good for Fort Yukon to grow for future generations,” he said. “There will be more jobs, more opportunities and more chances for learning.”
Doyon Region
Doyon, in partnership with Alaska Communications, will connect five communities along the Yukon River: Beaver, Fort Yukon, Rampart, Stevens Village and Tanana. Household service will be ready by the end of 2025.
Recent Accomplishments
- Community meetings were held in all five villages in May and June
- Construction has begun
- Finalize environmental resource evaluations
- Continue last mile construction
- Completed most field studies
Next Steps
- Finalize environmental resource evaluations
- Continue last mile construction
Pictured: Lower Kalskag residents gather for a community meeting hosted by Calista and Alaska Communications.
Calista Region
Calista, in partnership with Alaska Communications, will connect seven communities along the Kuskokwim River: Upper Kalskag, Lower Kalskag, Tuluksak, Akiak, Akiachak, Kwethluk and Napakiak. Household service will be ready by the end of 2026.
Recent Accomplishments
- Community meetings in all seven villages in August
- Awarded last mile fiber and terrestrial fiber contract
- Collecting RFPs for river and horizontal directional drilling
- Received permits from the Bureau of Land Management and the State of Alaska to conduct field studies. This will help us understand if there are any archeological sites or artifacts in our path
Importance of community meetings
Elders and community residents understand their communities and the river better than anyone else. We’ve appreciated learning from them during community visits. We’ve listened to their wisdom and acted on the knowledge they shared. For example, we changed the locations of beach manholes based on community advice.
Winter plans/Next step:
- We will work with our engineering consultations to establish final land routes based on what we learn from field studies
- We plan to issue a request for proposals for the construction of eight central office structures
Other Service Areas
In addition to connecting communities in the Doyon and Calista regions, Alaska Communications and TCC will bring fiber broadband to Venetie, Chalkyitsik and Circle.
Alaska Communications and TCC are seeking funding to connect the Doyon Region to the Calista region.
Fiber vs Satellite Internet
The Yukon and Kuskokwim River areas are among the most underserved areas of the United States. While direct-to-consumer satellite services have arrived in our communities, fiber remains the gold standard of connectivity because it is significantly more reliable than satellite. Alaska Communications’ fiber service in the communities served by this project will have $0 equipment costs. Alaska Communications’ customers can apply for the Lifeline program which provides a $34.50/discount on Tribal land. Satellite customers cannot get the Lifeline discount.
Getting signed up
Residents in all service areas can sign up to be notified when service is coming to their area. Click the “sign up” button in yellow banner at the bottom of this page.
Alaska FiberOptic Project Updates
“For the first time, some of Alaska’s most underserved communities will receive high-speed internet access made possible by the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Grant program. I commend the partnership and coordination of the successful applicants in securing this grant, which will be transformational.” - Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska)