WASHINGTON – Alan Davidson, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information, will travel to Alaska to see first-hand the unique needs and challenges related to the expansion of affordable and reliable high-speed internet in the state. Assistant Secretary Davidson will travel across the state and hold a series of public events from Aug. 8-11.
During his visit, he will meet with a diverse group of stakeholders, underscoring NTIA’s commitment to working collaboratively with the state of Alaska, local governments, tribal entities, and telecommunication industry representatives in expanding high-speed internet.
The State of Alaska recently signed onto the Biden-Harris Administration’s Internet for All initiative and will receive a minimum of $100 million in funding for efficient and effective implementation of high-speed internet expansion. This investment will be transformational and essential for the future of Alaska’s economy – enabling students and workers to pursue remote learning opportunities, create access to high-paying remote jobs, and increase accessibility to healthcare through telehealth services.
All times AKDT
Monday, Aug. 8
Fairbanks, AK
Assistant Secretary Davidson will visit the Doyon region to understand fiber-optic connection/cable that could be implemented both underwater and on land within interior Alaska.
- 10:45 a.m. Press availability at Doyon Regional Corporation
- 12:45 p.m. Tanana Village Visit
To RSVP for press availability contact Cheyenna Kuplack (kuplackc@doyon.com).
Tuesday, Aug. 9
Anchorage, AK
NTIA, in coordination with Senator Dan Sullivan, the State of Alaska, the Alaska Municipal League, and the Alaska Federation of Natives, will host a summit on high-speed internet expansion. The summit is open to press and available via livestream. Assistant Secretary Davidson will provide opening remarks and a keynote address. Additional details available here.
- 8:45 a.m. Opening remarks
- 11:40 a.m. Press availability (phone line available for remote participants)
- 12:15 p.m. Keynote address
RSVP for in-person attendance to summit and press availability, and to join press availability by phone contact Ben_Dietderich@sullivan.senate.gov. To join summit virtually please RSVP to Maci Morin at mmorin@ntia.gov.
Wednesday, Aug. 10
Bethel, AK
Assistant Secretary Davidson will join Senator Dan Sullivan, FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr, FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington, and USDA Assistant Administrator Laurel Leverrier to learn about the connectivity issues in one of the nation’s least connected areas. The delegation will visit part of the Yukon-Kuskokwim river delta region to see first-hand how reliable and affordable high-speed internet will be deployed.
- 8:30 a.m. Tour of Yukon-Kuskokwim river delta region via boat
To request coverage of this visit contact vbring@ntia.gov.
Thursday, Aug. 11
Kodiak and Port Lions, AK
Assistant Secretary Davidson will close his trip in Alaska by visiting Kodiak and Port Lions. During this visit, the Assistant Secretary will see first-hand the unique challenges to high-speed internet implementation in the Aleutian Islands.
To request coverage of this visit contact vbring@ntia.gov.