Old Harbor Native Corporation and Alaska Communications Will Build Advanced Broadband Network Serving Tribal Communities on Kodiak Island
Project includes subsea fiber middle mile network and last mile delivery
Alaskans in four Tribal communities on Kodiak Island will receive lifechanging broadband service, thanks to a Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program Round 2 grant funded by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).
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The community of Old Harbor. Photo courtesy of Old Harbor Native Corporation.
The collaboration, named Project Nunapet, between Old Harbor Native Corporation and Alaska Communications will install a middle mile subsea fiber optic cable from Homer to Kodiak Island. It will also deploy a last-mile fiber network offering Gigabit speeds to the Tribal communities of Old Harbor, Chiniak, Akhiok and Womens Bay, serving 570 homes.
Nunapet is an Alutiiq word meaning "our lands" and serves as a reminder of the connection Alutiiq people have to the land and sea. Old Harbor Native Corporation chose this name because it represents how the fiber optic cable will connect people to each other via the land and sea, a sacred connection they have shared for time immemorial.
In the Kodiak Archipelago, traditional Alutiiq culture and language thrive, despite challenges like declining population and economic opportunities. The reliable, affordable, high-speed connectivity delivered through this project will serve as the foundation for education, healthcare, economic growth and quality of life.
In addition to eliminating the digital divide for residents in these communities, Project Nunapet paves the way for substantial broadband service improvements throughout the Kodiak Archipelago region.
The network will serve as the basis for local expansion and improved network redundancy. Connecting with Alaska Communications' fiber landing station in Homer, the subsea route will consist of 155 miles of subsea middle mile fiber, making landfall in Ouzinkie. From Ouzinkie, the subsea cable will travel around the eastern coast of Kodiak Island, landing in Narrow Cape, Old Harbor and Akhiok.
Affordability is a critical element of internet access and a necessary condition for economic growth. Alaska Communications commits to offering its service at the same rates available in urban areas. It also participates in the FCC's Lifeline program, which provides a telecommunications subsidy for low-income consumers.
"This grant award is exciting for the future of Kodiak Archipelago communities," stated Kristina Woolston, CEO of Old Harbor Native Corporation. "The Nunapet Project will fund critical communications infrastructure for remote Kodiak Island communities to improve access, reliability and affordability. The project is critical to the retention of youth, supports the needs of our Elders, and will provide social, cultural and economic development opportunities for our people, improving the lives of nearly 600 households, businesses and health and human services organizations. Our sincere gratitude to Senator Murkowski, Senator Sullivan and Congressman Begich for their unwavering support to improve the lives of residents in Alaska's most rural and unserved communities."
"Despite Alaska's stunning landscapes, a significant digital divide has left many residents without internet access, and this inequity has disproportionately affected Alaska Native people," said Paul Fenaroli, president and CEO, Alaska Communications. "Affordable high-speed internet has been a long-desired goal for the rural communities of Kodiak Island and we're honored to work with Old Harbor Native Corporation to realize this goal."
"Alaskans continue to see new benefits borne by the bipartisan infrastructure law, and this latest announcement is great news for some of our underserved communities," said Senator Murkowski. "It can't be said enough – if you don't have access to reliable high-speed internet, you're falling behind in today's world. Every Alaskan should have that access and today's announcement takes us one step closer to that goal."
"Many of our rural, Alaska Native communities are without reliable broadband infrastructure that most Americans take for granted," said U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan. "That's why I have worked relentlessly with Alaskan communities to negotiate billions of dollars in Alaska-specific provisions in the bipartisan infrastructure bill, bring federal officials to see first-hand Alaska's unique challenges, and improve Alaska's broadband reach across the state. I'm glad to see that these significant federal infrastructure dollars we secured will be deployed by Old Harbor Native Corp. to break down the digital divide in Kodiak-Island communities."
Old Harbor Native Corporation
Incorporated in 1973, Old Harbor Native Corporation serves more than 500 shareholders residing primarily in Anchorage, Kodiak and Old Harbor. Its mission is to establish economic and educational empowerment while perpetuating cultural pride and self‐determination. Learn more at www.oldharbornativecorp.com.
About Alaska Communications
Alaska Communications, an affiliate of ATN International, Inc. (NASDAQ:ATNI), is a leading provider of mission and life-critical communications infrastructure in Alaska. The company operates a robust and advanced statewide fiber network and a highly diverse undersea fiber optic system that connects Alaska to the contiguous U.S. For additional information, visit www.AlaskaCommunications.com.
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Media Contacts
Old Harbor Native Corporation
Cynthia Berns, vice president of community and external affairs
907-278-6100
[email protected]
Alaska Communications
Heather Marron, manager, corporate communications
907-564-1326
[email protected]