March 28, 2016: Seminar on broadband issues and policies for Alaska

Friday, March 28, 1-5 p.m. Diplomacy Building, Fifth Floor, ISER Office

Many recent developments in telecommunications provide opportunities for Alaska, particularly for our rural communities. Here are a few highlights:

• The National Broadband Plan emphasizes the need to extend access to broadband in rural America. Many of the changes in current subsidy programs and new funding programs for rural and remote areas are relevant for Alaska.
• The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has established an Office of Native Affairs and Policy (ONAP), which can help increase participation by Alaska Natives in programs and subsidies targeted at tribal and rural/remote regions.
• The Alaska State Broadband Task Force has completed its report, with recommendations for expanding broadband access throughout Alaska.
• Terrestrial broadband has been installed in Southwest Alaska and around Norton Sound to Nome, and is being extended to Kotzebue. Submarine cable may also provide connectivity at some coastal locations.

These developments provide opportunities for Alaska Native and tribal organizations, business and institutional users, public sector agencies and consumers.

This seminar will provide a concise overview of these developments, with links to additional information. The seminar will be conducted by Heather Hudson, professor of communications policy at UAA's Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER). She has conducted many studies on telecommunications in the North and is completing a book titled Connecting Alaskans: From Telegraph to Broadband, to be published by the University of Alaska Press.

The seminar is free, but you must preregister since space is limited. To register, email uaa_iser@uaa.alaska.edu or call (907) 786-5499.

March Archive