Tribal Telecom Alaska makes it possible for Alaska tribes to manage and support their own broadband networks.
Tribal Telecom Alaska makes it possible for Alaska tribes to manage and support their own broadband networks.
Anchorage, AK - Over 150 Alaska Native tribal organizations and villages have received FCC wireless spectrum licenses and are scheduled to receive funding through the Tribal Broadband Connectivity program - a $3 billion federal initiative to deploy broadband to tribal communities. Tribal Telecom Alaska - a full-service telecommunications company with extensive experience building and operating remote, rural networks - is helping tribal governments and villages to control and operate their own broadband networks so they can best meet the connectivity needs of their individual communities. Until now, tribes were beholden to network buildout priorities, timelines and pricing of Alaska’s large telecom operators.
“Tribal Telecom’s model is a game changer that finally gives Alaska tribes a real shot at bridging the digital divide their way,” said Josh Richesin, Tribal Telecom Alaska’s president. “By bringing the technology, expertise and operational support to these small, Alaska’s communities, we are helping tribal governments to deliver broadband to their families and businesses on their own terms while creating local jobs and vocational training.”
Tribal Telecom Alaska is a joint venture between Alaska Tribal Broadband (ATB) and Oregon-based Richesin Engineering. ATB engineered and built the state’s first three tribal broadband networks and helped over 75 of the state’s tribes obtain their FCC licenses for the valuable 2.5 Ghz wireless spectrum. It also helped tribes acquire Bureau of Indian Affairs broadband planning grants and develop shovel-ready plans to build their own networks. Tribal Telecom Alaska provides carrier-grade service and operations similar to larger telecom companies. The company will support Tribal and rural municipality partners by providing a Network Operations Center, technician trouble dispatch, local village technician training, real time service performance measurements, 24x7 customer service, and billing and collection services.
For more information contact Josh Richesin at (907) 390-0996 or josh@tribaltelalaska.com.