Legislature(2021 - 2022)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
03/24/2022 03:30 PM Senate COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS
Note: the audio ![]()
and video ![]()
recordings are distinct records and are obtained from different sources. As such there may be key differences between the two. The audio recordings are captured by our records offices as the official record of the meeting and will have more accurate timestamps. Use the icons to switch between them.
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| Presentations on Broadband Infrastructure | |
| Opening Remarks Related to Broadband Infrastructure | |
| Recommendations of the Governor's Task Force on Broadband Presentation | |
| Preliminary Plans for the Office of Broadband & Broadband Infrastructure Presentation | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE
SENATE COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL AFFAIRS STANDING COMMITTEE
March 24, 2022
3:30 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Senator Shelley Hughes, Chair
Senator Robert Myers, Vice Chair
Senator Elvi Gray-Jackson
MEMBERS ABSENT
Senator Lyman Hoffman
Senator David Wilson
COMMITTEE CALENDAR
PRESENTATION: RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE GOVERNOR'S TASK FORCE ON
BROADBAND
- HEARD
PRESENTATION: PRELIMINARY PLANS FOR THE OFFICE OF BROADBAND &
BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE
- HEARD
PREVIOUS COMMITTEE ACTION
No previous action to record
WITNESS REGISTER
JULIE SANDE, Commissioner Designee
Department of Commerce Community and Economic Development
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Provided opening remarks on Broadband.
HALLIE BISSETT, Chair
Governor's Task Force on Broadband
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Co-presented the slideshow on the
recommendations of the Governor's Task Force on Broadband.
CHRISTINE O'CONNOR, Chair
Technical Subcommittee
Governor's Task Force on Broadband
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Co-presented the slideshow on the
recommendations of the Governor's Task Force on Broadband.
MICAELA FOWLER, Acting Deputy Commissioner
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
Juneau, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Co-presented the slideshow on the
preliminary plans for the Office of Broadband and broadband
infrastructure.
LISA VON BARGEN, Project Manager
Office of the Commissioner
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
Anchorage, Alaska
POSITION STATEMENT: Co-presented the slideshow preliminary plans
for the Office of Broadband and broadband infrastructure.
ACTION NARRATIVE
3:30:49 PM
CHAIR SHELLEY HUGHES called the Senate Community and Regional
Affairs Standing Committee meeting to order at 3:30 p.m. Present
at the call to order were Senators Gray-Jackson, Myers, and
Chair Hughes.
^PRESENTATIONS ON BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE
PRESENTATIONS ON BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE
3:31:26 PM
CHAIR HUGHES stated that the committee would hear two
presentations relating to broadband infrastructure, beginning
with opening remarks by the Department of Commerce, Community
and Economic Development (DCCED) Commissioner Designee Julie
Sande.
^Opening Remarks Related to Broadband Infrastructure
3:32:09 PM
JULIE SANDE, Commissioner Designee, Department of Commerce
Community and Economic Development (DCCED), Anchorage, Alaska,
stated that this is a transformative time in history as both
tribal entities and the State of Alaska have substantial federal
resources to jointly deploy for the purpose of improving access
to broadband in rural Alaska. She relayed that this is important
to her professionally and personally, having grown up in very
remote and rural logging camps in Southeast. It was a unique and
worthwhile experience for which she is grateful, but it was very
different than living in urban Alaska. She knows firsthand what
a difference it will make to have broadband connectivity in
similar situations. Expanding broadband throughout Alaska will
provide health, economic, and educational opportunities for
residents in rural Alaska. She said she feels privileged to have
broadband housed within DCCED.
COMMISSIONER DESIGNEE SANDE stated that in the near term the
work that will be done will be based on the recommendations of
the Broadband Task Force, the guidelines outlined in the
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), and guidance from
the responsible federal agencies and pending state legislation.
The office is expected to be fully staffed by the end of June
and will adhere to the Broadband Equity Access Deployment Act
(BEADA) and the Digital Equity Act (DEA). She expressed hope
that this effort will provide possibilities for remote and rural
Alaskans for generations.
3:35:32 PM
CHAIR HUGHES asked how the department plans to improve economic
development and strengthen communities through the use of
broadband.
COMMISSIONER DESIGNEE SANDE answered that the focus in the near
term is to standup the office, talk about position descriptions,
and ensure that all the BEAD and DEA requirements are checked
off. Once there is reliable connectivity, the possibilities for
rural Alaska over the long term are endless. There are very
talented people living in remote off-the-road-system areas who
are very willing and able to work if there is reliable
connectivity. Opportunities in education and telehealth will
also help drive the economies in these areas once there is
reliable connectivity.
CHAIR HUGHES urged her to begin those conversations earlier
rather than later because individuals and communities are
already raring to get started. She also urged the Department of
Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD) commissioner to start
planning on how to provide training for the different types of
jobs that will be available. If nothing else, she said the
pandemic showed that people are able to work remotely.
CHAIR HUGHES thanked Commissioner Designee Sande and
transitioned to the first presentation.
3:39:01 PM
At ease.
^Recommendations of the Governor's Task Force on Broadband
Presentation
Recommendations of the Governor's Task Force on Broadband
Presentation
3:39:09 PM
CHAIR HUGHES reconvened the meeting and announced the
presentation on the recommendations of the Governor's Task Force
on Broadband.
3:39:41 PM
HALLIE BISSETT, Chair, Governor's Task Force on Broadband,
Anchorage, Alaska, began the presentation on slide 2 with a
description of the Governor's Task Force on Broadband. She
highlighted the following:
• The task force was created by Administrative Order 322
• The task force is comprised of 11 voting and two ex officio
members
• The group was charged with eight specific tasks. Those are
described in the report and the recommendations are in the
appendix. The group incorporated much of the information
from past taskforces
• The task force had a technical subgroup and a policy
subgroup
• 32 public meetings were held
3:41:03 PM
CHRISTINE O'CONNOR, Chair, Technical Subgroup, Governor's Task
Force on Broadband, Anchorage, Alaska, stated that her job on
the task force was to manage the technical subgroup. This
entailed looking at all the different technologies in use to
deploy and serve Alaskans with broadband. She pointed to the
list on slide 3 of the members of the technical subgroup, noting
that it has good representation from unserved areas. She noted
that she too grew up in rural Alaska so she knows first hand how
limiting it is to be without broadband.
3:42:13 PM
MS. O'CONNOR advanced to slide 4 and described the first
recommendation that came from the technical subgroup and adopted
by the full task force. Recommendation 1 is to prioritize
broadband service for all Alaskans, which includes the large
number of unserved and underserved people in the state. The
subgroup knew the language in the proposed Infrastructure,
Investment, and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the report was shaped to
take advantage of those opportunities. The report included
definitions for "unserved" and "underserved" locations.
MS. O'CONNOR advanced to slide 5 and explained that the subgroup
was asked to define the gaps in broadband service. A gap was
defined as anyplace that did not have the following
qualifications:
• Speeds: 100/20Mbps
• Latency: less than 100 milliseconds, sufficient for
real-time applications like 2-way video
• Data usage: comparable to urban markets
• Reliability: 24/7 service with minimal downtime and
resistant to single points of failure
MS. O'CONNOR said that once these gaps were identified, the
Technical Subgroup was able to move forward with additional
recommendations. She highlighted that many of the gaps are
caused by the lack of middle-mile capacity, which is the network
segment that provides connection between communities. She
explained that Alaska's internet feeds through undersea and
overland connections from Seattle and is transmitted from
community to community. That service has large gaps so the
Alaska Office of Broadband must identify where more capacity is
needed to fill those gaps now and establish standards that are
able to evolve as technology changes and the need for additional
capacity grows in the future. Broadband is more important this
year than last and will be more important next year than it is
this year.
3:44:48 PM
MS. O'CONNOR conveyed that the Technology Subgroup's decision
was to give preference to fiber optic cables to fill the middle
mile gaps wherever it is feasible and practical. Fiber optic has
almost unlimited capacity and lower operating costs once the
line built. However, the subgroup also recognized that in some
extremely remote areas, the use of microwave and satellite
technology may be more practical than fiber. Most providers in
Alaska are using these technologies to provide service today and
they shouldn't be excluded going forward.
MS. O'CONNOR advanced to slide 8, Don't Widen the Digital
Divide, and emphasized the importance of the message in the
text:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Policymakers should also recognize the importance of
minimizing the disparity in access to broadband
service that may develop because of fast-paced
technological evolution and strive to ensure that
equitable development continues to occur.
She stated that without good planning, rural Alaska could be
left behind. Fortunately, the federal infrastructure law
identifies unserved areas as the number one priority for
deploying broadband.
3:46:37 PM
MS. O'CONNOR advanced to slide 9, Ensure Accurate Maps, and
discussed the following points:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Accurate, granular broadband availability and
infrastructure maps should define where unserved and
underserved areas exist.
The Office of Broadband Deployment should commit to
the utilization of world-class broadband data and
mapping analytics, leveraging available data sources
to avoid a duplication of efforts.
She relayed that the Federal Communication Commission currently
is developing very granular maps to identify what broadband
technology is available in each home in the US. The mapping
should be complete next year and according to the federal
infrastructure law, those maps will be used to identify the
prioritized unserved and underserved locations.
3:47:41 PM
CHAIR HUGHES asked how "underserved" and "unserved" are defined.
MS. O'CONNOR answered that the federal law provides specific
definitions. The term "unserved" means a location that does not
receive 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload speeds. According to
the federal law, that is the number one priority of this
funding. The term "underserved" means a location is unable to
get 100 Mbps by 20 Mbps service. According to the federal law,
the number two priority is to achieve these speeds in
underserved areas. The federal law also has a third priority,
which is to provide service to anchor institutions. She opined
that once 100 Mbps service can be provided to an entire
community, there will already be the capacity to serve anchor
institutions. She said her sense is that listing anchor
institutions as the third priority ensures that they won't be
missed.
3:49:27 PM
CHAIR HUGHES asked if the 20/3 mbps and 100/20 Mbps speeds refer
to the service to a household.
MS. O'CONNOR answered yes; it's a home or small business, but
her understanding is that the focus is on residences to ensure
that each individual has those speeds available in their home.
3:50:14 PM
MS. BISSETT discussed the compositions and recommendations of
the Policy Subgroup, starting on slide 10. She highlighted the
group's first recommendation to establish an Office of Broadband
Deployment, which was also in the federal law. She noted that
Alaska was among the very few states that didn't already have a
broadband office. There were several models to choose from and
the decision was to establish the office based on the money
coming to the state for this purpose. The office will be central
for all things related to broadband, and the coordinator for all
the BEAD Act and other money that's coming to Alaska. The
National Telecommunications and Information Administration
(NTIA) funds for tribes will also play a large role.
3:51:58 PM
MS. BISSETT discussed the Policy Subgroup's second
recommendation, which is to establish a state broadband advisory
board (SBAB) as outlined on slide 12. It will serve as the
central point to receive feedback from the public. It read:
[Original punctuation provided.]
The State should establish a State Broadband Advisory
Board (SBAB) to provide guidance to the Office of
Broadband Deployment, representing local, Tribal,
education, health, business, and the general public's
interests.
MS. BISSETT discussed the Policy Subgroup's third
recommendation, which is to strengthen tribal partnerships. $3
billion is available to tribal to deploy broadband. There are
574 tribes in the US, 229 of which are in Alaska. Each tribe
initially was eligible to receive about $0.5 million for
technical support and nearly all of the Alaska tribes were about
to apply for those grants. Just four have been awarded thus far
but more are expected by mid-June. Slide 13 read as follows:
[Original punctuation provided.]
The Office of Broadband Deployment should work closely
with Tribal governments, consortia, and other Alaska
Native entities to identify ways in which to
collaboratively address the gaps that may be
experienced across the state, leverage available
resources, and to ensure equitable development.
3:53:13 PM
CHAIR HUGHES asked if the expectation was that Alaska tribes
would receive about half of the $3 billion since about half the
tribes in the US reside in Alaska.
MS. BISSETT answered that it's not working out that way but the
NTIA representative will be in Alaska on April 11 and the Policy
Subgroup will meet with him at that time.
MS. BISSETT advanced to slide 14 to discuss the next
recommendation, which is to prioritize local workforce
development. She said the picture of the telecom worker with
icicles in his beard demonstrates that it takes a special
workforce to get the job done for telecommunications and fiber
optics. In fact, just three companies in the world can lay
subsea fiber. When there is such high demand for a workforce, it
makes sense to prioritize training to develop a local workforce
that will be ready to go when it's time to install this
infrastructure.
3:54:46 PM
MS. BISSETT reviewed slide 15, Affordability. It read as
follows:
[Original punctuation provided.]
Policymakers should recognize that affordability is an
important element in defining where gaps in broadband
infrastructure exist. Policymakers should also
recognize that affordability is driven by underlying
costs associated with Alaska's unique operational
environment and that partnerships between service
providers and state and federal programs are important
in achieving affordable service delivery to end-users.
3:55:55 PM
MS. BISSETT reviewed slide 16, Broadband Parity Adjustment:
[Original punctuation provided.]
In recognition of the scale of the investment
necessary to bring adequate broadband infrastructure
into every Alaska community, policymakers should
create a Broadband Parity Adjustment that supports
equitable broadband costs across Alaska's high-rate
areas as compared with those in low-rate communities.
She explained that this is similar to the power cost
equalization (PCE) funds.
CHAIR HUGHES relayed that as a task force member, she struggled
with the parity adjustment because she didn't want to recreate a
PCE type situation. Rather, she wanted to deploy the IIJA funds
for broadband in the best way possible so that the cost for
internet service eventually will be the same for someone in a
remote village as it is for someone like Senator Gray-Jackson at
her home in Anchorage.
3:56:54 PM
SENATOR MYERS asked whether parity will be similar to PCE or the
universal service charge on telephone bills.
MS. O'CONNOR answered that the task force recommended the parity
adjustment to help consumers in very high cost areas, which is
what PCE does, but they left it to the legislature to decide
whether or not to adopt the offset and how it would work. She
added that an encouraging trend that predates the infrastructure
bill is that the costs to consumers are coming down as grant-
funded projects are built to expand middle mile capacity. The
expectation is that there will be more of this going forward.
SENATOR GRAY-JACKSON mentioned an earlier discussion in her
office about astronomical overage charges and indicated she
would appreciate some discussion on that topic.
3:58:57 PM
CHAIR HUGHES asked Ms. O'Connor if she was aware that some
people address the issue of overages by purchasing two plans,
one for business and one for residential service.
MS. O'CONNOR answered that Senator Gray-Jackson was referring to
a story about a joint project between an existing community-
based broadband provider and a group of tribes that have
submitted an application for the tribal broadband grant program
that Ms. Bissett mentioned. Those villages have very limited
access to broadband so streaming is not economically feasible.
The people who were talking to Senator Gray-Jackson were talking
about building a fiber network. It has almost unlimited capacity
and would eliminate the need for data caps and overage charges.
4:01:27 PM
CHAIR HUGHES thanked both presenters.
^Preliminary Plans for the Office of Broadband & Broadband
Infrastructure Presentation
Preliminary Plans for the Office of Broadband & Broadband
Infrastructure Presentation
4:01:42 PM
CHAIR HUGHES announced the presentation on the preliminary plans
for the Office of Broadband and deployment of broadband
infrastructure.
4:02:20 PM 22
MICAELA FOWLER, Acting Deputy Commissioner, Department of
Commerce, Community and Economic Development, Juneau, Alaska,
began the presentation on slide 2, National Telecommunications
and Information Association (NTIA) State Broadband Programs.
It read as follows:
$42.5 B Broadband Equity, Access, and Development
Program (BEAD)
? Unserved locations defined as no access to 25/3
Mbps3
? Underserved locations defined as no access to
100/20 Mbps3
? Community anchor institutions defined as lacking
gigabit connections
$2.75 B Digital Equity Act (DEA) Programs -
prioritizes individuals who are:
? Aging
? Incarcerated
? Have a language barrier
? Primarily reside in a rural area
? Veterans
? Live in households earning at/below 150% of the poverty
line
? Individuals with disabilities
? Members of a racial or ethnic minority group
$1 B Enabling Middle Mile Infrastructure
? Competitive Grant with broad eligible entity list that
includes Tribal governments, Utilities, Nonprofits
MS. FOWLER said the foregoing highlights the funding
opportunities for state government from the Infrastructure
Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). She noted that $2 billion was
also added for tribal governments as well as amended
requirements for the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program
established under the 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act.
Those funds are administered directly to the tribes by NTIA.
CHAIR HUGHES asked which funding pot for tribal programs she was
referring to.
MS. FOWLER clarified that she was referencing funding for tribes
that is not on the slide. Slide 2 only shows state programs, not
funds going directly to tribes. $2 billion goes directly to
tribes and $1 billion goes to tribes through IIJA from the
Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program.
CHAIR HUGHES asked if all the money identified on the slide
comes from IIJA.
MS. FOWLER answered yes.
She relayed that the largest pot of money ($42.5 billion) comes
from the Broadband Equity, Access, and Development (BEAD)
Program. Ms. O'Conner explained that BEAD prioritizes unserved
and underserved areas and anchor institutions. The minimum
allocation for the state will be $100 million, although the
expectation is that the state will receive more than that. The
notice of funding opportunity for this program probably won't be
posted until mid-May, so there are many questions the department
is unable to answer at this point.
4:05:33 PM
CHAIR HUGHES asked if the estimated $5 million to deploy the
Office of Broadband will come from the $100 million.
MS. FOWLER answered yes; once the notice of funding opportunity
is released, DCCED's letter of intent will trigger a commitment
to produce a 5-year plan and allow access to up to $5 million of
that $100 million allocation to cover planning and
administrative costs.
MS. FOWLER stated that Ms. Von Bargen will discuss the other two
funding sources during her presentation. She continued to say
that in light of the earlier questions, she would skip to slide
6 to show the funding timeline for deploying NTIA funds. Step 1
is the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and DCCED is
currently waiting for that notice. Ms. O'Conner and Ms. Von
Bargen have been working closely to ensure that the nationwide
mapping to identify the underserved and unserved areas is
accurate for Alaska. In this process the state and the providers
give data and feedback to the FCC contractor, CostQuest, to
ensure that the map accurately reflects the varied situations in
Alaska. The fabric of that map will determine how much of the
$42.5 billion will be deployed in Alaska versus other states.
4:09:03 PM
CHAIR HUGHES asked if she had heard of any of the Lower 48
states or Hawaii that have the degree of underserved and
unserved areas as Alaska.
MS. FOWLER answered no and deferred response to Ms. O'Connor.
CHAIR HUGHES stated her preference to finish the department's
presentation before hearing Ms. O'Connor's response.
4:10:21 PM
MS. FOWLER advanced to slide 3 that shows the starting point for
the Office of Broadband. She explained that part of the initial
funding to stand up the office came from an Economic Development
Administration - Statewide Planning Grant. Those funds came to
the state and the legislature authorized the department to use
that as bridge funding to fill some positions before the BEAD
dollars were available.
MS. FOWLER said a lot of how the BEAD funding should be deployed
is still undefined so the department established a couple of
priorities when it started to design the Office of Broadband.
First was to design the office to be small but easily scalable
so positions could be added if and when it becomes necessary.
Emphasis will be placed on capturing people with the right
technical expertise and who also have the right understanding of
the state of Alaska and what it will take to get this work done.
CHAIR HUGHES asked when she expects the jobs to be posted.
MS. FOWLER answered that the department hopes to get the jobs
posted in May so they can be hired by June.
MS. FOWLER said a second priority in establishing the Office of
Broadband was to build in some sort of sunset review process
because it isn't known whether there will still be federal
funding in five or so years. The notion is to keep from creating
a large bureaucracy that eventually requires UGF funding.
CHAIR HUGHES asked if the "Initial Funding" shown on the bottom
of the slide is to run the office for five years.
MS. FOWLER answered that the $212 thousand Economic Development
Administration Statewide Planning Grant and the $5 million
BEAD Five Percent for Administration and Planning Grant will
fund the office for five years. The $1 million DEA Formula
Funding Planning Grant is not just for running the office, but
the office will be working on the associated planning grant. She
noted that subsequent slides address that grant funding in more
detail.
4:13:45 PM
LISA VON BARGEN, Project Manager, Office of the Commissioner
Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development
(DCCED), advanced to slide 4, State Comments on BEAD and DEA
Programs. She said all six themes outlined on the slide are
important to the state, but in the interest of time she would
only discuss the third point that read:
Take Alaska into account when creating "high-cost"
area definition
*10% of BEAD funding reserved for high-cost areas
*Alaska is an extreme outlier and should be
prioritized
MS. VON BARGEN relayed that the definition of a high-cost area
is an unserved area in which the cost of building out broadband
service is higher as compared to the average cost of building
out broadband areas in unserved areas of the United States. The
factors that are considered in determining high-cost are things
like the remote location of the area, the lack of population
density, unique topography, the high rate of poverty, and "any
other factor identified by the assistant secretary of commerce."
In comments to NTIA, the state sought a clear definition for
"any other factor identified." The state also wanted to make
sure that NTIA's full definition and the high cost formula took
into consideration the vast difference in the high cost to
deploy in Alaska compared to any high-cost area in the rest of
the US because that is a massive factor.
4:16:34 PM
MS. VON BARGEN advanced to slide 5, to discuss the BEAD initial
and near-term scope of work for the Office of Broadband. She
recapped that the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program
has a $100 million state allocation and the state is allowed to
use $5 million or five percent of the allocation for planning
and some administration of the Broadband Office. The Notice of
Funding Opportunity will be released by May 15, 2022 as required
by IIJA. After that the department has to file a Letter of
Intent. She said the guidance about the turnaround time for
issuing the Letter of Intent will probably be in the NOFO, but
it's a misnomer to call it that because it's really a
significant piece of work that addresses six broad categories in
IIJA related to broadband planning. She restated that in the
interest of time she discussed just one of those items but she'd
be happy to provide the detailed list if the committee so
desired.
4:18:35 PM
CHAIR HUGHES asked if the Letter of Intent has to show that
there is a plan to set up of the Office of Broadband.
MS. VON BARGEN answered yes and the number one item is to show
the details of the existing program or office of the eligible
entity.
MS. VON BARGEN continued to say that once the Letter of Intent
has been submitted to NTIA and approved, the $5 million planning
grant will be available. A specific requirement is for the state
to development a Five-Year Action Plan. This is the roadmap for
deploying broadband infrastructure to achieve the goal of
broadband for everybody in the state. It includes the
methodology for prioritizing projects to serve unserved
locations, the technical assistance requirements, and the
timeframe for achieving universal broadband service buildout
within the state. This achieves the task force's goal of
broadband for everybody.
4:20:06 PM
CHAIR HUGHES asked if the deadline for completing the buildout
is five years. She added that she was trying to understand when
the broadband capacity will be fairly good throughout the state.
MS. VON BARGEN said she didn't have an answer, but Ms. O'Conner
might know.
CHAIR HUGHES asked Ms. O'Connor to respond to the question after
the presentation is finished.
MS. VON BARGEN said that while the state doesn't know what the
turnaround time is for the Five-Year Action Plan, the
administration is approaching these efforts from the perspective
that time is of the essence.
MS. VON BARGEN said her final comment on slide 5 is about the
deployment funding under BEAD. As previously mentioned,
additional formula funding is available for high-cost areas.
Additional formula funding is also available for unserved and
underserved areas. The unserved funding is based on dividing the
number of unserved locations in the state by the total number of
unserved locations in the US, multiplied by a quotient that is
outlined in IIJA. She highlighted the importance of the fabric
mapping, because that is what will be used to determine how many
locations Alaska has and how many of those are served,
underserved, and unserved. That will be the information that is
used in the formula funding for Alaska to receive money on the
unserved allocation.
4:22:38 PM
MS. FOWLER returned attention to slide 6 that shows the funding
timeline for deploying NTIA funds. She said it's helpful to
recognize how much stakeholders, nonprofits, industry, and state
employees are already undertaking to make sure the state is well
positioned to meet the deadlines to receive the NTIA funding.
She noted that the four blue areas identified on the timeline
are where the state needs to take action.
4:23:54 PM
MS. VON BARGEN advanced to slide 7, to discuss the Digital
Equity Act (DEA) initial and near-term scope of work for the
Office of Broadband. She explained that DEA is about ensuring
that people have the ability to access broadband once it is
available to their home or business and that they have
information technology capacity for full participation in
society and the economy. It means they also have access to
devices and applications that meet the needs of the user and the
skills associated with using technology to find, evaluate,
organize, create, and communicate information.
MS. VON BARGEN reviewed the bullet points on slide 7:
Digital Equity Act (DEA)
? Three Components
? Planning Grants ($64 Million Nationwide)
? Capacity Grants
? Competitive Grants
? Formula Based Funding Allocation
? Planning Grant NOFO Estimated Release Mid-June 2022
? NOI due within 60 days of NOFO
? Planning Grant Awarded (estimated $1 Million+)
? Digital Equity Plan due within 1 year of award
Additional Funding (under DEA)
• Capacity Grants
• Competitive Grants
MS. VON BARGEN explained that the formula for both the Planning
and Capacity grants is based on 50 percent total population and
25 percent covered population, which includes the individuals
listed on slide 2. Once the NOFO is released in mid-June the
department anticipates the Notice of Intent for the DEA planning
will need to be returned to NTIA by mid-August. Once NTIA gives
approval, about $1 million will be awarded to the state for the
Planning Grant. The state will then have one year to develop the
Digital Equity Plan. That plan will have to identify the
barriers to digital equity and the solutions to achieve digital
equity in the covered population.
She highlighted that the amount available nationwide from the
DEA Competitive Grant is $1.25 billion. It is designed to
support efforts to achieve digital equity and spur greater
adoption of broadband among covered populations. These grants
are open to states, tribal entities, anchor institutions,
nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and others.
4:28:45 PM
MS. FOWLER reviewed slide 8, Implement Task Force
Recommendations:
Task Force recommendations include:
? Prioritize Accurate Data; Efficiently Obtained
? Create Broadband Development Planning Areas
? Establish State Broadband Advisory Board
? Ensure and Strengthen Tribal Partnerships
? Partner with Alaskans
? Establish a Vision for State Broadband Policy
? Streamline State Permitting
? Advocate for Improved Federal Permitting
MS. FOWLER referenced an earlier question and advised that part
of establishing the state Broadband Advisory Board and
partnering with Alaskans means doing a lot of outreach
throughout Alaska to identify what local communities see as
their opportunities. The state recognizes the importance of
partnering with the Alaska Regional Development Organizations
(ARDORs) to identify the economic opportunities that broadband
connectivity will open throughout Alaska, incorporating that
into the Statewide Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy
(CEDS). She said we want to make sure we're working proactively
so we don't waste this unique opportunity.
4:30:25 PM
CHAIR HUGHES urged the department to start the conversations
about how to strengthen and improve communities now. She also
encouraged DCCED in stay in touch and work with the Department
of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD), the Department of
Education and Early Development (DEED), and the university in
this effort. She said the workforce shortage is widespread and
the state needs to gear up to help open up opportunities.
CHAIR HUGHES asked Ms. Von Bargen if she'd heard talk about job
training and other economic opportunities coming to rural areas
once broadband capacity has expanded nationwide.
MS. VON BARGEN answered that she imagines that those discussions
will be starting very soon.
CHAIR HUGHES commented on the shortage of teachers in the state
and the potential opportunity to train teachers virtually once
broadband capacity is expanded throughout the state. She asked
Ms. Von Bargen to let her know if she hears anything about that.
CHAIR HUGHES asked what the governor's stance was currently on a
broadband bill and if it would be problematic if one didn't
pass. She noted that Representative Edgmon and the Senate Labor
and Commerce Standing Committee both had introduced broadband
bills.
4:36:01 PM
MS. FOWLER answered that both of those bills follow the
guidelines and recommendations of the task force and are aligned
with the work the department has done. Both bills give clear
legislative guidance for the work the state will be undertaking,
which is beneficial. It would not stop the administration from
moving forward if neither bill were to pass, but it is an
opportunity for the legislature to weigh in and give direction.
CHAIR HUGHES asked Ms. Von Bargen if she had reviewed the bills
and if she had any closing comments.
MS. VON BARGEN asked if she was asking about whether she had
read the bills moving through the Alaska Legislature or if she
had read the infrastructure bill.
4:37:39 PM
CHAIR HUGHES asked if she had read the bills moving through the
Alaska Legislature to establish the Office of Broadband.
MS. VON BARGEN answered that she had read those bills and
provided comments through the appropriate legislative liaison.
She agreed with Ms. Fowler that the bills are a useful tool.
CHAIR HUGHES asked Ms. O'Connor to address the questions that
were posed during the department's presentation.
MS. O'CONNOR said she couldn't answer the first question about
how the number of unserved locations in Alaska compares to the
number of unserved locations nationwide until there is new
nationwide mapping that provides that data. The old maps defined
served or unserved by census block and the federal regulations
say that if any location within a census block is served, then
the entire block is identified as served. She said the high-cost
definition is expected to direct a lot of funding to Alaska.
CHAIR HUGHES recalled that the allocation for areas defined as
high-cost was 10 percent of $3 billion. She asked if that was
correct.
MS. O'CONNOR clarified that it is 10 percent of the $42.5
billion allocated for the NTIA Broadband Equity, Access, and
Development (BEAD) Program. Roughly $4 billion will be allocated
to high-cost areas based on a percentage of comparison of
population. This funding is particularly important for Alaska
and is in addition to the $100 million allocated to every state.
4:40:24 PM
CHAIR HUGHES asked what the estimate was three or four years ago
to get good broadband across the state.
MS. O'CONNOR answered that the 2014 task force did a broad
estimate of $1.2 billion. The gaps are smaller now, but there
isn't a fresh estimate.
CHAIR HUGHES asked if she agreed that there should be sufficient
funding for Alaska to have a robust broadband system throughout
the state.
MS. O'CONNOR replied that she wasn't sure there was enough for
universal service that's in the bill but it will be very close.
CHAIR HUGHES asked if it would be accurate to say that broadband
is better when there are fewer microwave hops.
MS. O'CONNOR said she believes that the issue with microwave is
that it handles less capacity than fiber.
CHAIR HUGHES asked Ms. O'Connor to address her second question
[about the deadline for the buildout].
MS. O'CONNOR said the bill talks about a four-year buildout. It
also says the deadline can be extended for good cause if the
state has a plan in place. Extensions can also be granted for
extenuating circumstances. She highlighted the important factor
that has been developed since the bill passed is the extreme
supply chain delays. For example, fiberoptic cable currently is
backordered 80 weeks. Lack of workforce may also delay these
projects.
CHAIR HUGHES asked whether the four-year buildout was within or
in addition to the five-year plan period.
MS. O'CONNOR said she believes that it's within the five-year
plan period.
4:44:30 PM
CHAIR HUGHES asked if she believes everything will be deployed
and up and running in the 2026 to 2028 timeframe.
MS. O'CONNOR answered that it might not be everything, but a
significant amount should be deployed and up and running in that
timeframe. It helps that $100 million in middle mile projects
have already been awarded through the USDA program and
construction will start this summer.
CHAIR HUGHES asked Ms. Bissett to talk about low Earth orbit
(LEO) satellites and whether the infrastructure bill provides an
opportunity for LEOs to be part of deploying broadband
throughout Alaska. She also offered her belief that there should
be redundancy plans, similar to what is provided on electric
grids.
4:47:01 PM
At ease.
4:47:26 PM
CHAIR HUGHES reconvened the meeting.
CHAIR HUGHES noted that the committee could not hear Ms. Bissett
and requested she submit her comments in writing.
CHAIR HUGHES asked Ms. O'Connor to talk about LEOs.
MS. O'CONNOR said the infrastructure bill defines unserved and
"underserved" and requires any new project to deliver 100 Mbps
service with low latency or latency that allows
videoconferencing. Her understanding is that low Earth orbit
satellites have this capability and she believes that satellite
capacity will be needed going forward. NTIA will provide more
details in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and then it
will be up to the Office of Broadband, in consultation with
communities and others, to develop the plan. She said the Act is
technology neutral so it's less about the specific technology
and more about delivering the service. To the comment about
redundancy, she said $1 billion has gone into a middle-mile
program, and one eligible use is to enhance redundancy.
4:49:55 PM
At ease.
4:50:19 PM
CHAIR HUGHES reconvened the meeting.
MS. VON BARGEN advised that she could read Ms. Bissett comments
about LEOs. She read the following:
LEOs will have similar supply chain issues. I am told
you need hundreds of them deployed for the system to
work, so even those won't be immediate satisfaction.
The estimate she heard is four years.
The fiber will complement the LEOs and provide that
redundancy that you spoke about.
4:51:42 PM
At ease.
4:53:01 PM
CHAIR HUGHES reconvened the meeting. She noted that Ms. O'Connor
wanted to talk about the workforce training opportunities.
MS. O'CONNOR advised that the bill says that one of the eligible
uses of the DEA competitive grants is for training programs for
covered populations or other workforce development programs.
CHAIR HUGHES thanked the presenters.
4:54:35 PM
There being no further business to come before the committee,
Chair Hughes adjourned the Senate Community and Regional Affairs
Standing Committee meeting at 4:54 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Broadband Taskforce Presenation for CRA 3.24.22.pdf |
SCRA 3/24/2022 3:30:00 PM |
|
| DCCED Broadband Presenation for CRA 3.24.22.pdf |
SCRA 3/24/2022 3:30:00 PM |
|
| State of Alaska Governor's Task Force on Broadband Final Report 2021.pdf |
SCRA 3/24/2022 3:30:00 PM |