Alaska Broadband Program Grant

Funder: Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development

The Alaska Broadband Program, managed by the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development, aims to enhance broadband access across the state. With over $1 billion allocated from the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program, the initiative focuses on providing reliable internet to underserved areas. The program encourages diverse applicants, including tribal governments and non-profits, to participate in efforts to ensure equitable internet access for all Alaskans.

The State of Alaska, Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development (DCCED), Alaska Broadband Office (ABO) issues this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to describe the Alaska Broadband Grant Program requirements and application process. The State of Alaska, DCCED, ABO received a grant award under the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, authorized by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, Division F, Title I, Section 60102, Public Law 117-58, 135 Stat. 429 (November 15, 2021) (Infrastructure Act or Act) also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, CFDA 11.035.
The BEAD Program provides new federal funding to be distributed primarily based on the relative number of “Unserved” locations (i.e., Broadband Serviceable Locations that lack access to reliable broadband service at speeds of at least 25 Megabits per second (Mbps) download and 3 Mbps upload and latency levels low enough to support real time, interactive applications) in the state of Alaska. The State of Alaska was allocated $1,017,139,672.42 to primarily provide fiber to each Unserved location and other technologies if certain circumstances exist. The State will distribute no more than $991,796,878.97 for broadband projects to achieve “Internet for All”.
The ABO encourages any entity meeting the capability requirements, as set forth herein, to apply for this program. That includes, but is not limited to, federally recognized tribal governments, consortiums, cooperatives, non-profit organizations, private companies including traditional providers of internet and telecommunications service, public-private partnerships, public or private utilities, public utility districts, and local governments.