The Alaska FiberOptic Project, a collaboration between Doyon, Limited, Alaska Communications, Calista Corporation, Gana-A ‘Yoo, Limited, and Tanana Chiefs Conference, is set to bring high-speed, reliable fiber-optic internet to rural villages along the Yukon River by the end of 2025.
The project aims to close the connectivity gap and bring educational, economic, and healthcare opportunities to remote parts of Alaska. “Our shared goal is to improve education, healthcare, economic opportunities, and quality of life,” said Heather Marron, Alaska Communications’ Corporate Communications Manager.
Funded through federal programs like the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), the project represents a major investment in the digital infrastructure of rural Alaska. “We had wanted to bring fiber to the Doyon Region for years,” said Marron. “But it was never economically feasible—until NTIA grants became available.”
Through this project, a plan was developed to extend fiber through three major segments: starting in Beaver, Fort Yukon, Rampart, Stevens Village, and Tanana, with future phases expanding along the Kuskokwim River and the upper Yukon to include an additional 10 communities.
Laying fiber in Alaska is no ordinary task. The state’s rough terrain, lack of road access, and short construction seasons make projects like this both complex and costly. “This is the first time fiber is being laid in a subarctic river,” Marron explained. “Doyon, Alaska Communications and our construction partners spent a lot of time studying the Yukon River’s currents, depth, and obstructions.”
To overcome these obstacles, the project team custom-built a special underwater plow to bury fiber in the riverbed and designed a unique vessel to transport materials over 310 miles of river, between communities without road connections.
Fiber-optic technology will deliver game-changing speeds to these rural areas—up to 1 Gigabit per second. “It’s more than 4.5 times faster than Starlink’s fastest plan,” said Angela Ludwick, Doyon’s Legal Administrative Assistant. Unlike satellite, fiber maintains consistent speeds and low latency even during peak usage.
Beyond fast internet, the project has the potential to reverse population decline and create new economic opportunities. “It will help keep young people in their communities,” said Ludwick. “And it opens the door for businesses to engage in global commerce, and for residents to work, learn, and access healthcare from home, in addition to streaming movies, making video calls, and playing video games.”
Locals also benefit directly from the project through job opportunities in labor, brush clearing, logistics, and hospitality. Alaska Communications, a member of IBEW Local 1547, is interested in having local technicians support the network long-term.
The project team worked with 13 government agencies and conducted extensive consultations with local elders and experts to ensure construction is as minimally invasive as possible. The fiber will be buried deep in the center of the river channel, avoiding sensitive salmon spawning areas near the banks.
Construction will resume in 2025, with completion expected by the end of the year or sooner for some communities. In April, the project team hosted community meetings in Tanana and Rampart and will continue meetings in Fort Yukon, Rampart, and Stevens Village in early May, sharing updates and gathering feedback.
This fiber network will serve as a backbone for possible future expansions. “Our vision is to connect even more communities eventually,” said Marron. And with valuable lessons learned about permitting, logistics, and community engagement, the Alaska FiberOptic Project may pave the way for more broadband initiatives across the state.
Alaska Communications’ fiber service will come with no equipment costs for residents. Those signing up for service may also apply for the Lifeline program, which provides a $34.50/month discount on Tribal lands.
For more information, visit www.akfiberopticproject.com
