Every household in Alaska should have access to...
Every household in Alaska should have access to 100 Mbps of connectivity by 2020, said the Alaska Broadband Task Force blueprint outlined on Wednesday (http://bit.ly/1exUbhG). The report calls for extending the “full benefits of broadband technology to every Alaskan.” A…
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1 percent increase in broadband adoption in Alaska could grow the state’s economy by $67.7 million, the report said. In a study commissioned by the task force, the University of Alaska-Anchorage’s Institute of Social and Economic Research found broadband infrastructure to reduce costs, increase market access and lead to job creation and growth in total employment. Private ownership of the infrastructure would be encouraged to “minimize the impact on the state budget,” the report said. To pay for the $1.2 billion project, the task force recommends a matching grant program for proposed infrastructure projects by the state starting in fiscal year 2015. It recommended a state broadband equalization subsidy to make urban and rural rates comparable in price and service level, and a state grant for organizations that provide digital literacy, workforce development and broadband adoption programs, said the task force. It would also consider a $250 million loan from the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority to finance the project. The task force seeks public comments which can be made on its website (http://bit.ly/15k9kxB).