Frequently Asked Questions

SALMONet is funded by an $8 million grant from the National Telecommunication and Information Administration (NTIA) Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP), with additional support from federal, state, and private funds. Infrastructure grant applications are sought to reach unserved and underserved communities. Digital equity grant applications are being submitted to support non-infrastructure needs.

On average, streaming applications like Netflix and video conferencing applications like Zoom require 5 Mbps per device. Online gaming and Adobe Creative Suite require up to 50 Mbps per device. As homes and businesses adopt new technology systems and add more devices, these

bandwidth requirements 'stack' by device. As of 2023, the FCC's broadband benchmark is a minimum download speed of 25 Megabits per second (Mbps) and an upload speed of 3 Mbps. This is often referred to as the "25/3 Mbps Standard.” That said, federal policy is subject to change for a standard as high as 100/20Mbps.

Fiber broadband offers significant advantages over Starlink for rural and Tribal Alaska, providing faster and more reliable speeds, lower latency, and consistent performance, even in

challenging weather conditions. Fiber is required to upgrade cellular service and serve key anchor institutions like hospitals and schools. Fiber is a long-term infrastructure solution that supports data-heavy tasks with symmetrical upload/download speeds. In contrast, Starlink has higher outage risks because satellites must be replaced, offers limited customer support, and pricing is already increasing in Alaska.

Grant-funded broadband programs like USDA ReConnect, BEAD, and NTIA include affordability requirements to ensure low-income households can access affordable internet. These measures help keep broadband affordable in underserved areas, and prohibit providers from charging customers for data overages, especially for low-income families.

Some projects have already been funded through multiple grant awards, while others are

still being developed or await funding. Projects are being prepared for submission to the State BEAD program, with selections expected by Summer 2025. As more grants are applied for and approved, timelines for specific projects will become more evident.

There may be some minimal, temporary impacts that arise during construction. All project work will undergo environmental review to minimize harm and comply with regulations. SALMONet’s infrastructure will support existing utilities, not replace them.

SALMONet will facilitate workforce development by providing tribal broadband training, vocational job programs,employment platforms, tech equipment, cybersecurity awareness, and remote work policy development.