Author: Steven

As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, access to reliable internet emerges as a fundamental prerequisite for progress across various sectors, including education, healthcare, and business. Recognizing the pivotal role of connectivity in bridging the digital divide and driving socio-economic development, MTA has joined INDATEL as a fiber-optic provider outside the continental United States.  

INDATEL is a nationwide network of over 700 rural independent telecommunications providers. INDATEL utilizes its collective strength to deliver superior broadband connectivity, especially in rural and underserved areas. These members collectively own and operate more than 400,000 miles of fiber-optic routes, serving over 2.3 million buildings in rural and suburban areas across America. 

“Our partnership with INDATEL marks a significant milestone towards inclusivity and progress,” said Michael Burke, Chief Executive Officer of MTA. “By combining our resources and expertise, we expand our network and bring new opportunities to communities in remote areas, including Alaska. We’re excited to see the impact this partnership will have on bridging the digital divide across America and empowering communities to thrive in the digital age.” 

This partnership opens a new realm of possibilities for MTA, enabling us to extend our reach and tap into a vast network of resources and expertise. Becoming a member allows us to leverage INDATEL’s extensive network infrastructure and collective bargaining power, enhancing connectivity for our customers. Whether it’s broadband, voice, or managed IT services, our customers can look forward to improved service offerings and expanded coverage.  

Meanwhile, current INDATEL members will now have direct access to Alaska, simplifying and expediting solutions for customers entering or connecting to Alaska. This expands INDATEL’s footprint into previously untapped territories, while also fortifying MTA’s position as a key player in connecting the most remote areas with the rest of the world. 

Providing trusted connectivity to rural and underserved markets is one of the many things that brought MTA and INDATEL together. The internet is a lifeline for remote communities striving to overcome isolation and unlock their full potential in our growing digitalized world.  

Whether it’s a small business seeking to expand its reach or a student accessing online educational opportunities, reliable internet connectivity is the cornerstone upon which dreams are built and futures are forged. MTA is proud to play a part in moving it forward. 

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Alaska’s tech leader to provide $30,000 cash and $45,000 in connectivity for premier sporting competition and cultural gathering

PALMER, Alaska, Jan. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — MTA, Alaska’s tech and telecom leader, has announced a $75,000 sponsorship of the Mat-Su 2024 Arctic Winter Games, the premier sporting competition and cultural gathering of and for the Arctic North. The event will take place March 10-16, 2024, throughout the Mat-Su Valley.

This sponsorship includes a $30,000 cash contribution as well as $45,000 in fiber extensions to the Matanuska-Susitna Borough and Wasilla, which will power key venues for the event. These connectivity upgrades, provided to entities who are volunteering to host the event, will help ensure necessary judging and timing while providing an opportunity for loved ones back home to live-stream the athletes’ events.

“We’re proud to be part of an event that represents the best of Alaska, bringing together talented athletes and artists as well as leading organizations, all for a week of thrilling games,” said Michael Burke, CEO of MTA. “Through MTA’s connectivity enhancements, we’ll help families, friends and any other interested parties enjoy these games globally while futureproofing our area for more economic development.”

“MTA is dedicated to getting involved in great events like the Winter Games that will help both grow and draw attention to our area,” said Elias Rojas, Senior Marketing Specialist for MTA and member of the Mat-Su Arctic Winter Games’ Board of Directors. “I’ve been honored to serve as a board member for these spectacular games to help make them as impactful as possible for all involved while further highlighting MTA’s commitment to the organization’s efforts.”

“With help from partners and community leaders like MTA, this event is shaping up to be an extraordinary showcase of Arctic athletes and heritage, and an enormous win for all in the Mat-Su Valley,” said Karen Lane, general manager of the Mat-Su Arctic Winter Games. “We look forward to all attendees, participants and viewers at home having an upgraded experience thanks to MTA’s involvement.”

The Mat-Su 2024 Arctic Winter Games is an exceptional sporting and cultural event that brings together athletes from Arctic communities to showcase their talents, culture, and heritage. Taking place in the breathtaking Mat-Su Valley, the Games provide a platform for youth development, cultural exchange, and friendly competition. For more information on the Mat-Su 2024 Arctic Winter Games, please visit https://www.awg2024.org/.

About Matanuska Telecom Association 
Established in 1953, as a 100 percent Alaskan owned and operated telecom cooperative, MTA is Alaska’s best choice for technology and communications products. As a key player in the economy of Southcentral and Interior Alaska, MTA provides business technology solutions to empower member-owners and patrons to live a connected life. Today, MTA remains as one of the largest telecommunication co-ops in the United States and proudly employs more than 400 Alaskans. For more information, visit https://www.mtasolutions.com/ or connect with MTA on Facebook.

Media Contacts
Fearey for MTA
MTA@feareygroup.com, (570) 575-3405

SOURCE MTA

The highest recognition of individual achievement by NTCA is the eXcellence Awards Program, which honors individuals in ten categories.

Gary Enloe, MTA’s Vice President of Network Planning and Operations, was recently honored on the main stage at NTCA’s RTIME as the first-ever NTCA Innovator of the Year. This recognition is for Gary’s development of a tool that simplifies the process of defining parameters required to deliver broadband to our members — allowing connectivity to be provided reliably and at maximum speeds. Gary’s dedication and innovation make MTA better equipped to expand reliable broadband access to rural areas where it is most needed.

We remain committed to providing quality services to our members and expanding access to reliable broadband in remote areas. As the leading technology provider in Alaska, we know our work is constantly evolving – and never done. We’ve been committed to serving the communities we live in for 70 years and are always strengthening our network to deliver new solutions and empower our members to live more connected lives today and for generations to come.

The NTCA eXcellence Awards recognize broadband providers who have exceeded expectations to support their customers and community members and to advance communications services in rural America. 

Large businesses and government entities that work between Alaska and the Lower 48 will have new options for operations, access to cloud providers

Palmer, Alaska – September 13, 2022 – Matanuska Telecom Association (MTA), Alaska’s best choice for technology and communications, has completed the first and only all-terrestrial fiber route between Alaska and Chicago. The project, an extension of the historic AlCan ONE line, brings an additional secure, geographically diverse, high-speed connection between Anchorage, Wasilla and Fairbanks to Calgary and Chicago, as well as to Seattle and Portland. 

“MTA is proud to be facilitating the vibrant enterprise, education and government industries to be even stronger and more capable with our new Alaska to Chicago connection,” said Michael Burke, CEO of MTA. “Communications needs are changing every year, so this secure and reliable option is critical to the growth of businesses in Alaska and across the country.”

In 2020, MTA completed its AlCan ONE (Alaska Canada Overland Network), a 300-mile, all-terrestrial fiber network connecting North Pole, Alaska to the Canadian border – and ultimately providing MTA’s members, as well as Alaska as a whole, with a robust internet transport connection for decades to come. Since then, the co-operative has worked with Canadian partners to extend the network and establish POPs in Calgary and Chicago. 

“In the past, we’ve been vulnerable to the possibility that a disaster or crisis could render Alaska cut off from the rest of the world,” said Francis LaChapelle, Vice President of Business Development for MTA. “MTA knew Alaska needed an alternative to relying on undersea fiber cable communications that pass through the Pacific Northwest, and now we have it.  Expanding our terrestrial network to Chicago allows MTA to meet the need for fast and survivable telecommunications to the Midwest and East Coast.”

MTA’s new system gives Alaska a faster connection to the Midwest and East Coast, with a 20-25% reduction in round-trip latency between Alaska and Chicago. It also provides a direct connection to diverse cloud regions— Microsoft Azure Government cloud in Chicago and the Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud coming to Calgary in 2023.

For more information, visit www.mtasolutions.com/chicago.