Alaskan Broadband Project Completes Federal Permitting

WASHINGTON (April 16, 2026)- The Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council (Permitting Council) is pleased to announce the completion of federal permitting for the NANA Regional Broadband Network project. The project will bring a high-speed broadband network to the remote Arctic region, providing critical services to Alaska Native Villages in the NANA Region of Northwest Alaska.

“Congratulations to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the NANA Regional Corporation, Inc. for completing this vital project’s federal permitting,” said Emily Domenech, Permitting Council Executive Director. “Permitting cannot be the hurdle to providing rural Americans with access to the high speed internet resources that are critical for economic growth, education, and innovative technology. I’m thrilled to complete another project in Alaska and support this important effort.”

“Ensuring that Alaskans, regardless of where they call home, have access to affordable and reliable internet is imperative as communities navigate the digital divide,” said Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska. “Our schools, hospitals, and other essential services require a level of connectivity that is often taken for granted across the Lower 48, which is why I was so intent on providing funding through appropriations and my role in authoring the infrastructure bill. Today’s announcement is a significant step toward the deployment of this critical infrastructure in Northwest Alaska. I thank those who have been involved in this project at every level—from those working on the permitting front here in Washington, DC, to those on the ground in Alaska.”

“Alaskans know better than anyone that building critical infrastructure in remote and Arctic regions comes with unique challenges—especially when it comes to federal permitting,” said Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska. “That’s why I worked to help establish the Permitting Council and advance reforms to expand its reach to include Alaska Native Corporation projects. This ensures that important projects like the NANA Regional Broadband Network can move forward efficiently while maintaining strong environmental standards. The completion of federal permitting for this project is a major milestone that will help connect Alaska Native communities to reliable, high-speed internet—unlocking new opportunities in education, healthcare, and economic development across Northwest Alaska.”

“The completion of federal permitting for the NANA Regional Broadband Network is a strong example of what can be achieved when agencies work efficiently and collaboratively,” said Rep. Nicholas Begich, R-Alaska. “Timely, transparent permitting is essential to delivering critical infrastructure to remote communities, and this project shows that we can cut through unnecessary delays without compromising standards. I congratulate NTIA, the Permitting Council, and NANA for reaching this important step toward expanding reliable, high-speed internet access for Alaska Native villages.”

Sponsored by the NANA Regional Corporation, Inc. (NANA), the project will construct an approximately 725-mile fiber optic cable route to connect 11 remote Alaska Native Villages across vast distances to vital broadband. The project will install a fiber-based broadband network capable of bridging the digital divide for 7,000 residents throughout the NANA region. 

“The completion of federal permitting for the NANA Regional Broadband Network represents a generational milestone for our region,” said Albie Dallemolle, NANA Vice President of Economic Development and Sustainability. “This achievement reflects a shared commitment to invest in infrastructure that will shape the future of our communities for decades to come. Reliable broadband is foundational for unlocking economic opportunity, expanding access to education and healthcare, and strengthening the long-term resilience of the people in the Northwest Arctic of Alaska. Through FAST-41, we experienced a higher level of coordination and accountability across federal agencies, enabling a more efficient and disciplined path forward for this critical investment.”

The Department of Commerce’s NTIA led federal permitting for this project, which secured funding through NTIA’s Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program. 

Learn more about the NANA Regional Broadband Network project on the Federal Permitting Dashboard.