USDA grants AIRRAQ broadband fibre project to three more rural Alaska communities

GCI announced that it has been granted $35 million (€32.40 million) from US Department of Agriculture Rural Development’s ReConnect programme to bring fibre-optic connectivity to Toksook Bay, Emmonak, and Tununak. Connectivity will be delivered to three communities through an expansion of AIRRAQ network, a joint GCI-Bethel Native Corporation (BNC) project to deliver high-speed broadband service to communities in Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta.

AIRRAQ Network was named after a traditional Yup’ik game similar to cat’s cradle and translates to “string that tells the story.” The name was chosen by GCI’s project partner, BNC, because fibre will enable Y-K Delta residents to share their stories and culture with world.

“GCI is excited for the opportunity to close the digital divide in even more Western Alaska communities. Fibre is the high-capacity, low-latency, future-proof technology that the region needs. Once connected, residents of Toksook Bay, Emmonak, Tununak, and the 10 other AIRRAQ Network communities, including Bethel, will have access to the same internet speeds, plans, and pricing as our customers in Anchorage and other urban communities.” says GCI president and chief operating officer Greg Chapados.

“We’re going to see a dramatic improvement to the reliability and speed, unlimited data options, and significantly more affordable plans in the region. Faster speeds will better accommodate growing needs in the region including online learning and telehealth. We value the partnership between BNC and GCI and our collective commitment to deliver this service together.” says Ana Hoffman president and CEO at Bethel Native Corporation.

Phase three of AIRRAQ Network will bring ultra-high-speed connectivity to 1,800 more Alaskans and will be a foundation for future fibre projects in region.

“This project will be transformative to residents of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. We’re appreciative of the support from the USDA ReConnect programme and their recognition of the importance of this project, which enables us to leverage the substantial investment GCI has already made in the Y-K Delta with our own capital and other federal grants to improve service throughout even more of the region. It will also provide a backbone to expand fibre service to even more communities in this important region.” says Billy Wailand senior vice president at GCI Corporate Development.

“USDA Rural Development is working alongside tribes, municipalities, and telecommunication companies like GCI to connect remote and rural communities to high-speed internet. I am deeply proud of the partnerships created by the ReConnect programme’s support for the buildout of the AIRRAQ Network. Alaskans deserve affordable, reliable, high-speed internet, not only for students of all ages to learn and thrive, but also for entrepreneurs and access to new job markets. From healthcare to homecare, the unprecedented push for equity of the Biden-Harris Administration is providing rural Alaska with enormous opportunities.” says USDA Rural Development’s state director for Alaska Julia Hnilicka.

The AIRRAQ Network is a 405-mile fibre-optic network that will deliver affordable 2.5 gig residential internet speeds and unlimited data plans to more than 11,800 people. Phases I, II, and III will connect 13 Western Alaska communities, including: Bethel, Platinum, Eek, Napaskiak, Oscarville, Atmautluak, Kasigluk, Nunapitchuk, Quinhagak, Tuntutuliak, Tununak, Toksook Bay, and Emmonak. The overall project is supported by more than $100 million (€92.57 million) in broadband granted by National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Tribal Broadband Connectivity Programme (TBCP) and USDA Rural Development’s ReConnect programme, and by private investment by GCI.

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