2.24.2006

Village Technology Specialists in YK Delta

USDA, UUI, Alaska State and YK Delta Tribes

PUBLIC ACCESS TO BROADBAND INTERNET


DELIVERING ON THE PROMISE OF RURAL BROADBAND


Under the direction and support of local Tribal Councils, United Utilities, Inc. with funding from the US Department of Agriculture, village communities in the Yukon Kuskokwim Delta are enjoying improved telecommunications services.

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Along with the development of new terestrial-based infrastructure (see Deltanet tower photo), for the first time in a Rural Utilities Services grant primarily for infrastructure, developing 'local expertise and promoting the use of technology (or) infostructure' is being supported throught public funding.

The first training of village technologists specialists (VTS) though the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Kuskokwim Campus, UUI and the USDA was recently piloted in the small Kuskokwim River Village of Eek, Alaska.

Read More about VTS program and 'Infostructure':

Village Technology Specialist Program, Kuskokwim Campus


Infostructure, The Key to Rural Broadband Success

The Eek Public Access Point (PAP) as mandated and provided through the USDA Rural Broadband Initiative Grant is in place. Housed with Eek Tribal Council support, the facility has been developed in what was previously the village clinic facility - a more than adequate space. The facility contains six computers, printer and multimedia peripherals networked to a broadband internet connection via UUI's new infrastructure.

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Pat Cleveland and Carla Green, VTS trainees, along with the Eek Tribal Council completed renovations and support administration for the project. Standard operational procedures and policies were developed and a grand opening was provided for the community Mid-March!

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Pat Cleveland writes:
"I would say the opening turnout was a success. There were 39 residents and visitors that came throughout the day that I documented for the door prize drawing. Of the 39, 28 signed on and actually used the computers and nearly all were online accessing their personal email accounts, played online games, and a few were just visiting websites that they knew of. (Registered user ages ranged from 8 and up.)"


Pat Cleveland Eek PAP Interview

Pat and Carla have set up a private online meeting place for all VTS and UUI PAP employees and development personnel to discuss issues, trends, accomplishments and the future of the Rural Broadband Public Access and Community Technology Centers in the YK Delta. UUI and YK - Delta Tribal participants can email Pat for access: pcleveland04 at yahoo dot com.


More links re: Rural Broadband and CTCs in the YK Delta:

Alaska Rural Development 'blog'

Alaska Rural Broadband 'blog'


Message to RCA Commissioners

Defining Success - Bethel Native Corporation

Delta Net