Digital Diversity: Broadband and Indigenous Populations in Alaska

Abstract

The challenge of bringing the benefits of broadband to very small, extremely remote villages is exemplified by the experience of serving indigenous rural populations in Alaska. This requires not just access, but adoption, entrepreneurship, and innovation. Dr. Hudson describes the history of provisioning access to these areas, and suggests a strategy of integrating investments from NTIA and RUS programs as a model for promoting broadband “digital diversity” to similar populations.