DILLINGHAM-By December of this year, 65 rural communities in Alaska’s Southwest region will hooked up to high speed broadband. No longer will they have to endure satellite connections to reach the Internet world. Gone will be the days of waiting long periods for a page to load, something that their urban counterparts do not tolerate.

TERRA-SW, which is led by United Utilities, is itself is a wholly-owned subsidiary of GCI is responsible for bringing broadband to the communities of Southwest Alaska. Curtiss Clifton, Corporate Relations Senior Manager, told local, state and Federal officials gathered in Dillingham to celebrate the occasion, that they intend to have those communities hooked up and turned on before the first of the year. He says that despite the fact that the villages being worked on aren’t physically connected; the project is a year ahead of schedule. Clifton also pointed out, “What this will do is bring the same level of broadband services [available in the lower 48] to 65 communities, to 30,000 people, 72 clinics, 65 schools, 2 hospitals…it’s a big number and it’s a big service, and it’s fast service.”

GCI says that by 2012 broadband services will be available residentially. Clifton said GCI intends to bring broadband to the entire state.