Alaska Broadband Office begins weekly listening session series

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Saturday, March 11, 2023 at 8:42 PM

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Anchorage, Alaska (KINY) - This week, the Alaska Broadband Office (ABO) began a series of listening sessions to hear from the public about the many challenges faced by inaccessible or limited internet service.

Broadband is a type of high-speed internet connection that allows for uninterrupted access to the internet.

Listening sessions hosted on Zoom, with a telephone dial-in option for anyone without internet service, will be held every Wednesday and Thursday from 2:00-3:00 pm AKST.

Wednesday sessions will cover general questions that the public may have on broadband.

Thursday sessions will be technology-based, to cover questions or concerns on building broadband.

These sessions will continue every week for the next several months.

“These listening sessions will give the public a chance to provide individual input directly to the Broadband Office,” said Thomas Lochner, Director of the Alaska Broadband Office. “To ensure all Alaskans have access, participants can call in via Zoom’s dial-in option or use the internet. It was important to our office that we make these sessions accessible to anyone interested.”

The ABO is also requesting members of the public to submit an internet speed test through our website here.

These speed tests will be used to demonstrate how real internet download and upload speeds vary locally.

The results of submissions from the public will help the ABO better understand and assess the internet needs in each community around the State.

On a parallel track, several community and agency partners will also be hosting Digital Equity listening sessions around the state. There's a list of upcoming meetings on the ABO website or call the office at 907-269-8159 for a list of locations.

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