In a significant move to enhance internet access in rural Alaska, GCI and the Bethel Native Corporation (BNC) are actively expanding fiber-optic connectivity to remote communities in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. Following the recent launch of 2.5 gig residential internet speeds in Bethel, the AIRRAQ Network continues to progress with crews preparing for future fiber installations in additional communities such as Eek, Platinum, Napaskiak, and Oscarville.
The AIRRAQ Network represents a collaboration aimed at bringing high-speed internet to 13 communities within the Y-K Delta region. Project crews are currently engaged in the construction of local fiber infrastructure, laying the groundwork for the upcoming installation of thousands of feet of aerial and underground fiber directly to homes and businesses.
Nikki LaTona, GCI’s Senior Staff Program Manager, hailed the launch of fiber services in Bethel as a landmark achievement. “Launching fiber-optic service in Bethel was a huge milestone for our project crews and we’re eager to keep the momentum going,” she stated. LaTona emphasized the complexity of the AIRRAQ Network project, highlighting the extensive planning and coordination involved in navigating Alaska’s short summer construction season.
BNC and GCI first introduced fiber-optic connectivity in Bethel this past May, providing residents access to speeds, plans, and pricing comparable to those available in Alaska’s urban centers. “For the first time, our communities have access to first-class internet service right here at home,” remarked BNC President & CEO Ana Hoffman. She reiterated the importance of first-class internet as an economic asset, linking it to job creation, training, and the overall capacity-building for local communities.
A cornerstone of the AIRRAQ Network’s success has been the emphasis on tribal outreach. Both BNC and GCI have worked collaboratively with local residents and Tribal organizations, organizing public meetings and listening sessions to inform and address questions within the communities. Presentations were even held in the Yup’ik language to ensure effective communication with all residents.
“This local participation was crucial,” Hoffman noted, emphasizing the importance of community input in shaping the project. She explained that understanding local knowledge facilitated smoother construction processes and fostered a sense of ownership among residents. According to her, the AIRRAQ Network represents a project developed in alignment with the communities’ needs, further solidifying local trust in the initiative.
GCI’s Rural Affairs Senior Director, Jenifer Nelson, echoed these sentiments, stating, “Long before any trench was dug or any cable shipped, we were meeting with village leaders, Tribal councils, and residents to understand their needs and concerns.” Nelson emphasized the integration of local knowledge into the planning process, ensuring the network was built in partnership with, rather than imposed on, the communities in the Y-K Delta.
The ambitious 840-mile fiber project under the AIRRAQ Network aims to provide affordable 2.5 gig residential internet speeds and unlimited data plans to more than 11,800 residents across Western Alaska. It encompasses a total of 13 communities: Bethel, Platinum, Eek, Napaskiak, Oscarville, Atmautluak, Kasigluk, Nunapitchuk, Quinhagak, Tuntutuliak, Tununak, Toksook Bay, and Emmonak.
About the partners involved: the Bethel Native Corporation prides itself on being a respected business leader with diverse operations ranging from government contracting and construction to environmental remediation and commercial real estate. Meanwhile, GCI, headquartered in Alaska, serves over 200 communities with essential services including data, mobile, voice, and managed solutions. With a history of investing $4.7 billion into its network and facilities over the last 45 years, GCI remains committed to enhancing connectivity and bridging the digital divide in the state.
As the AIRRAQ Network continues to develop, it is expected to transform the connectivity landscape for rural Alaskan communities, paving the way for greater opportunities and improved quality of life.
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