(SitNews) Juneau, Alaska - Alaska Power & Telephone Company recently announced it has established a Tribal Broadband Affordability Program for tribes in its service areas that wish to establish affordable telecommunications services for their members.  The AP&T program is specifically intended to interface with and support the objectives of the National Telecommunications and Infrastructure Administrative (NTIA) Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program.  (CDFA 11.029, Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program.)  

Through the NTIA program, which closes August 30th, tribes are eligible for $2.5m each for programs with services “such as providing free or reduced-cost broadband service and preventing disconnection of existing broadband service.”  AP&T’s Tribal Broadband Affordability Program provides an option whereby tribes can utilize NTIA or other grants or funds to pre-purchase vouchers for multiple years of service for tribal members.

AP&T CEO Mike Garrett remarked:  “AP&T is honored to have the opportunity to provide services to tribes and their members, and to support self-determination objectives.  Tribal populations strengthen our services areas and our company through their cultural perspective and traditional knowledge. Additionally, tribes provide critical community services to their members and beyond, and drive rural economic development.  We are hopeful that AP&T’s Tribal Broadband Affordability Program will empower tribes to utilize NTIA funds to strengthen tribal members’ access to telecommunications services, despite the limited time available to apply for funds.”

Tribes wishing to participate in AP&T’s program should contact sales@aptalaska.com and Jason.c@aptalaska.com .

AP&T’s program is only available in communities where service already exists, and subject to network and technical limitations. Requests to utilize the program will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.  However, the company has been working in recent years to upgrade customers to fiber-fed service, improve speeds, and set the stage for improved broadband access through the USDA Rural Utility Services SEALink project, interconnecting Prince of Wales Island to Juneau.  

Alaska Power & Telephone Company (OTC: APTL) is an investor-owned utility providing diverse utility services in over 40 communities in rural Alaska. 

Edited By Mary Kauffman, SitNews

Source of News:

Alaska Power & Telephone Company
www.aptalaska.com

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