Alaska Power & Telephone Company (AP&T) has been awarded four grants totaling $4.6 million through the Alaska Broadband Grant Program to support fiber-to-the-home infrastructure projects across rural Alaska. The company will contribute an additional $1.2 million in matching funds, with construction expected to begin later in 2026 pending environmental approvals.
The funding is part of the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. AP&T’s projects will extend fiber optic connectivity to communities including Tok, Naukati, and the Goose Creek neighborhood of Thorne Bay, bringing high-speed internet access to hundreds of rural households.
The initiative builds on AP&T’s existing Sealink submarine fiber optic network and terrestrial fiber backbone, which connect communities across southeast Alaska. The company has continued to expand this infrastructure through a combination of public funding and private investment, including prior USDA ReConnect grants.
In addition to infrastructure expansion, AP&T has partnered with tribal governments to launch Tribal Affordability Programs that provide its highest residential internet speeds at no cost to eligible tribal members. The company is also advancing development of a new submarine cable project known as AK-Link, which will connect Ketchikan, Alaska to Westport, Washington, with construction anticipated to begin later in 2026.
AP&T noted that its awarded fiber projects achieved the lowest installation cost per premise among similar projects in Alaska, reflecting its experience and ability to leverage existing network assets.
The company provides broadband, communications, and energy services to more than 40 communities across rural Alaska.
KEY QUOTES:
“We appreciate the opportunity to partner with government funders to bring critical infrastructure to the communities we serve. By combining public investment with private expertise, we can continue expanding modern telecommunications infrastructure to more rural and remote areas of Alaska.”
Bill Marks, CEO, Alaska Power & Telephone Company
“Reliable, advanced-speed internet is no longer a luxury for rural Alaska; it’s a necessity. I’m incredibly glad to see Tok receiving new investment in fiber optic infrastructure because it means faster connections for our students, better access to telehealth for our families, and new opportunities for local businesses to grow. Investments like this help ensure that communities like Tok stay connected, competitive, and strong for generations to come.”
Mike Cronk, Senator, Alaska
