No place too far: communicate via fax, internet or phone anywhere, even the remotest parts of Alaska.

• Author: Colby, Kent L.

Alaska boasts the highest connectivity rate in the nation. That is a challenge for a big state with a not-so-big population. Not only is the state served by some of the most aggressive telecoms in the industry, the state supports making Internet service more affordable and accessible to its rural communities. In May, the Department of Community and Economic Development made available $15 million in grant funds to assist in the establishment of broadband Internet service to rural Alaska. The grants are to assist service providers in the deployment of broadband.

"This effort is to provide rural Alaska residents with improved access to world markets and potential new economies," says Edgar Blatchford, commissioner of the Department of Community and Economic Development.

"Broadband makes e-commerce possible," says Bill Allen, Alaska rural development state director.

REMOTE COMMUNICATIONS

Radiotelephone allows Alaska's Bush communities telephone service without the need to attach directly to the grid. Satellite Internet provides a connection to the outside world from the tiniest cabins in the most remote corners of the state. And that's just from the consumer's standpoint. Construction and exploration companies need a link to the home office. Fishing fleets and logging camps now deploy computer networks and IP telephones to remote sites. Technology is a requirement to do business these days and there are many ways to keep businesses online with data flowing. Bush residents can market goods on e Bay, shop online, take classes and communicate with their legislators.

The romance of the new technology pales in comparison to the Bush network of one-way radio messages from local radio stations, the static of ham radio, and the push-to-talk simplex radiotelephones that have served the state so well for many years.

Today, a freelance writer for this magazine can do all her work from a remote cabin in Southeast. With a broadband satellite link tying her to the Internet, frequent Alaska Business Monthly contributor Nicole Bonham researches story information, keeps on top of current events, and contracts technical writing with Alaska companies and a major defense contractor in the Lower 48 and abroad.

Remote resorts use radiotelephones that extend the standard phone service to their lodges. Now the hosts do online banking, scheduling, booking and other business, as well as provide services for their guests to keep in touch with business, while also...