Project Title:
Alaska Federation of Natives Broadband Use and Adoption Consortium Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program
Funding Program:
Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program
Project Purpose/Type:
This Broadband Use and Adoption project proposes a consortium consisting of 73 Alaska Native Tribal governments, Alaska Native Corporations (ANCs), and tribal organizations to reduce barriers to broadband usage among Native Alaskans by providing broadband-enabled devices, subsidizing broadband service, and implementing digital skills and workforce training. It will also seek to improve health care access among tribal communities by equipping Alaska tribal health partners with the equipment and training needed to offer telehealth services.
State(s):
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$35,102,141.00Funding Amount
The project will implement seven activities aimed at addressing critical challenges faced by Alaskan Natives preventing broadband adoption and use:
- Conduct needs assessments and surveys among target populations to determine challenges and local needs;
- Distribute broadband capable devices through partner organizations;
- Design and implement a training program to build digital skills and familiarity with broadband resources and technology among Alaskan Native populations;
- Implement a workforce development program to train individuals for future careers in the IT field;
- Train and deploy 10 “Circuit Riders” to serve as technicians for local communities, maintain program resources, and provide expertise and training related to broadband technology;
- Provide a broadband subsidy between $75-150 a month to support broadband affordability for Alaskan Native households. Alaska Federation of Natives will work with eligible recipients to ensure that they sign up for the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program’s $75 monthly subsidy for those living on Tribal lands and will provide an additional subsidy of up to $150 per month where necessary. AFN has developed safeguards to prevent duplication of funding, which it has committed to implementing if it receives a TBCP award, in accordance with TBCP Specific Award Condition 14 (No Duplication of Federal Funding); and
- Equip local tribal health care facilities with various telehealth enabled devices and train local health aides in accessing telehealth resources and services.
Increase access to broadband service that is currently lacking due to cost or remoteness of location. Address the lack of broadband devices and required basic training community-wide. Increase local skills and training that will allow communities to develop their workforce and increase employability of Alaskan Natives. Equip local health providers with the training and equipment to improve healthcare access and outcomes through telehealth.
This project will serve 62 Alaskan Native communities or ANCs, provide subsidized Internet service for an estimated 2,777 Alaskan Native households, provide broadband devices to an estimated 8,877 individuals, and employ and train 10 IT technicians.