Business
Fiber Broadband Coming to Nenana Thanks to Nenana Native Association and Alaska Communications
Project will bridge the digital divide and create local jobs FAIRBANKS, Alaska--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Alaskans living in the Athabascan community of Nenana will
About this update from Atn International, Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"\nProject will bridge the digital divide and create local jobs\n\n\n FAIRBANKS, Alaska--(BUSINESS WIRE)--\nAlaskans living in the Athabascan community of Nenana will receive lifechanging broadband service, thanks to a Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program Round 2 grant funded by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).\n\nThis press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250213236816/en/Nenana, Alaska. (Photo: Business Wire)\nThe collaboration between Nenana Native Association, Tanana Chiefs Conference and Alaska Communications will bring fiber to the home service to 362 households, 30 businesses, and nine anchor institutions. This transformative effort is poised to bridge the digital divide, invigorate economic growth and improve opportunities for Nenana residents.\n\n\nThe 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, this project will generate new jobs for Alaskans.\n\n\nThe Nenana Native Association will tap into Tanana Chiefs Conference’s robust workforce development initiatives to offer residents paid on-the-job training opportunities through this project. The partners will seek to hire at least two apprentices for the two-year term of the project. The apprentices will have the opportunity to engage in project development, design, logistics and construction of the broadband network, preparing them for a future career supporting the network, as well as the many new projects coming to Alaska. Apprentices will receive remote telecommunications training through the National Coalition for Telecommunications and Information Technology Education (NCTI) program.\n\n\nAffordability is a critical element of internet access and a necessary condition for economic growth. Alaska Communications commits to offering its consumer services 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.\n\n\n“This project supports our vision for an innovative, bustling, diverse community which upholds quality education while preserving traditional ways of life,” said JT Ba...