Category: News & Alerts

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. 

In Alaska, with its vast distances and numerous remote communities, internet access is not just a convenience but a lifeline. It has been crucial to closing the digital divide by connecting families, enabling remote education, providing access to telehealth services, and opening doors to economic opportunities.

At MTA, we understand our role in ensuring that Alaskans remain connected. Today, equitable access to the internet is the foundation for thriving communities. For many Alaskans, programs like the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) are indispensable; they offer the support needed to ensure that internet access is universally attainable, bridging the gaps created by our state’s challenging geography

Millions of Americans rely on the ACP, which provides essential internet access to 22.8 million low-income households. This includes 23,000 homes in Alaska, which impacts about 61,000 Alaskans*. This crucial program ensures affordable internet access, yet, it is facing a significant funding shortfall, and without swift action from Congress, the program is at risk of ending as early as this spring. The potential end of the ACP could lead to thousands of Alaskan households facing steep increases in their internet bills, a change that could push the essential service out of reach for many.

We’ve witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of the ACP on our communities. From students who’ve been able to continue their education remotely to seniors who’ve accessed critical healthcare services online, the stories are both inspiring and a stark reminder of what’s at stake. It’s imperative to keep these connections alive.

Alaskans have the opportunity to make their voices heard and advocate for the continuation of the ACP to help keep their neighbors connected. Our partners at WTA have initiated the Don’t Disconnect Us campaign, providing an easy-to-use platform for you to reach out to your representatives in Congress.

The ACP is a crucial program that ensures all Alaskans have access to the opportunities the internet provides. The potential discontinuation of the ACP poses a significant threat to the fabric of our connected society. We encourage you to lend your support to ensure every Alaskan, regardless of where they live, can stay connected.

*According to the latest census data, there are 2.67 persons per household in Alaska

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 Broadband Multimedia Marketing Association (BMMA) recently announced the winners of the 2022 Best in Class Marketing awards.

“Each year, the BMMA recognizes teams and companies that demonstrate innovation and excellence in marketing broadband services,’’ said Ellis Hill, President of ResearchFirst, Inc., the BMMA’s management firm. This year’s awards went to two service providers, MTA and Kinetic by Windstream, and two vendor companies, Calix and Scout Alarm, each of which executed best in class marketing practices related to broadband products and services.”

MTA has been running upgrade marketing campaigns for a few years, using monthly network improvement reports to send mailers to customers eligible for upgrades as well as newly serviceable addresses. After a pause during the pandemic in 2020, MTA revamped the upgrade campaign in 2021 with new branding and improved copy. The new campaign ran throughout 2021 and was targeted to current customers eligible for upgrades due to network improvements, as well as newly serviceable households and non-customer households in areas where MTA had recently upgraded their network. With the shift to a remote lifestyle of school and work from home, the market was seeking improved bandwidth options. This campaign alerted customers that improved speeds were available so they could upgrade and notified unserved households that they had an alternate provider to consider. Using Alaskan elements in the graphics was a strategic move to stand out from the generic imagery competitors were using and offering a free month for non-customers provided an opportunity for them to test out the service before disconnecting their current connection.

“MTA is proud of our team’s outreach efforts to ensure our network investments are resulting in an improved experience for our members. Receiving recognition from organizations like BMMA affirms that we have the right people doing the right activities. Thank you BMMA and thank you to our member solutions team at MTA,” said Michael Burke, CEO of MTA.

Overall, the 2021 campaign provided a significant sustained revenue boost and was an improved experience for both customers and staff. The updated message is easier to understand and multiple touchpoints with the same message improve retention. The streamlined request process improved both efficiency and tracking, providing a definitive answer to the campaign’s value.

About the BMMA

The BMMA is an international organization dedicated to helping Telco internet service providers and their vendors advance the adoption and use of broadband services.

Our membership includes many of the key Telco and broadband vendor organizations in North America and is open to any broadband industry Telco service provider, vendor, CPE manufacturer, government agency, consultant, analyst, or other party with a demonstrated interest in promoting the mission of the BMMA.

Our goal is to advance the adoption and use of broadband services by identifying key industry success factors and sharing best practice marketing initiatives, new product and customer trends and other relevant industry information.

Please see our website at http://www.BMMA.org for more information or to apply for membership in the BMMA.

Executive Director: ResearchFirst, Inc. (http://www.researchfirst.com)

By: Jess Gilbert, Public Relations Manager

As the world around us continues to shift in unknown ways, one constant is MTA’s commitment to our employees and the community around us. Last year, Brandi Burchett, Mat-Su Senior Services CEO, came to me with a true problem; seniors in our community desperate for connectivity.  In order to help this vulnerable population, we decided to implement our first-ever employee giving campaign.

Our goal with this campaign was to help give back to the seniors in our community and get our employees engaged with and aware of new fundraising programs for the MTA Foundation, which has long demonstrated its commitment to pioneering technological growth within our serving area. Thanks to the generous effort from MTA employees, we raised a total of $30,000 in donations for Mat-Su Senior Services.

These funds have allowed us to gift the senior services provider with a high powered tech hub to stimulate technology literacy within Alaska’s senior citizen population. Our employees’ generous gift will also fund 3 years of unlimited connectivity to the tech hub. We know that our commitment goes beyond broadband, so we will also be offering regular digital literacy and cyber security classes exclusively for the members at Mat-Su Senior Services. We couldn’t complete this project without working with Brandi to design a senior-friendly gaming area in the hub, providing seniors a new way to engage.

It’s been so fun and rewarding to watch this project progress and work with Brandi and the Mat-Su Senior Services team, and we can’t wait to see the finished product.  I spoke with Brandi about our partnership and this project, and you can read our thoughts below:

Jess Gilbert (JG): MTA has prioritized technology education for years now, particularly to our more senior members. Why was it important from your point-of-view to have this space in the Mat-Su Senior Service Center?

Brandi Burchett (BB): For many seniors, not just here, but around the world, they tend to feel disconnected and out of touch with their grandchildren or families. By creating a space for connection and learning, this computer center will allow the exposure of technology and kick start new passions and hobbies within the seniors – something I’m really looking forward to seeing. 

JG: It’s inspiring to see the difference the Foundation is able to make for the greater Mat-Su area and this project is just one of many examples of that. What does this initiative by MTA mean to you?

BB: This project and donation from MTA really showcases the love and support of the community around us. By being able to gift the Mat-Su Senior Service Center with a computer lab, internet connectivity and tech literacy sessions, it means the seniors will feel more loved and connected. I hope that by seeing this project, people may feel motivated to give back to the community they are located in.

JG: Our hope is that this will be a relationship that continues to evolve over the years. How do you see the tech hub being used in years to come?

BB: I think the seniors will love this new space. It gives them the chance to learn, connect and play – something many of them haven’t been able to experience much of in recent years. I see this space becoming a hub for community in the center and a place where seniors get together to try new things and help each other. 

JG: Why is closing digital divide important to this community and demographic?

BB: For too many in Alaska and throughout the country, the digital divide has never been deeper than it is today. The gap between those with and without reliable broadband has only continued to widen throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, especially within the senior community in long-term care facilities. Being able to provide them with computers, tablets and learning sessions means they will be able to connect with their families and feel a sense of community.

—

 Big or small donations, alike, let’s work together to continue to close the digital divide. You can get involved today at mtafoundation.org. 

By Wanda Tankersley, COO

The U.S. Census estimates that computer and engineering occupations hold 80% of the science, tech, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce; but of these positions, only about 15% are filled by women. Narrowing this gender gap in tech is the driving force behind the national non-profit organization Girls Who Code.

Partnering with like-minded organizations to advance future generations in the communities we serve is at the heart of our mission here at MTA, and we were thrilled to serve as the official tech partner of Girls Who Code Camp for Mat-Su Borough students. On June 1, we kicked off the first day of camp, where I had the honor of delivering a keynote presentation on my experience as a woman in tech. The final day of camp was held in our new location at the Shoppes at Sun Mountain. The day was spent exploring the high-tech workspace we’ve created there, hearing from a women-led panel of MTA employees, and collaborating as teams. The panel, featuring women of various career paths within MTA, had a strong focus on how each department uses tech.

Heading into this women-powered week, I reflected on a time when I was in these young women’s shoes. Today, I’m the COO of a tech powerhouse that generates over $100 million annually, though this hasn’t always been the case. I was a solidly average student in middle and high school, and I didn’t come from a particularly fruitful background.

When I think about how I transitioned from where I started to where I am today, I think about the wonderful teachers I had that encouraged me every step of the way. For me, education was the key for me to change the life I had been born into, and I grabbed onto that like a lifeline. By the time I finished college, I had become a strong student – not because I was the smartest in the room, but because I was curious, persistent and hard-working.

Even in my professional life, though, tech has not always been at the center of what I do. I started off in accounting, working for one of the Big Four accounting firms, but soon realized that what I love doing most is solving problems to help make a community the best it can be – and working in both tech and telecom allows me to do just that.

It was awe-inspiring to be able to share my story and experiences with the young women of the Mat-Su Borough, and to help serve as the beacon of light that once guided me to where I am now. I, like MTA as a whole, remain dedicated to fostering and empowering the next generation of women tech leaders and setting them up to pioneer our community’s ever-bright future.

We thank Girls Who Code for allowing MTA to be a part of this journey and look forward to future partnerships that can help get young women excited about all the possibilities that the tech field can offer them.