Friday, Mar 4 2011 9:48AM
A partnership between GCI and Integrated Logic will help more rural Alaskans receive high-speed internet access.
Telecommunications provider GCI joined forces with consulting company Integrated Logic to help support technology needs for rural Alaskan communities.
The partnership will encourage rural community development by providing telecommunications equipment and technology that will expand healthcare, education, public services and local businesses. An official from Integrated Logic told the Juneau Empire that the companies were working together on various projects for years, and this particular merger was convenient since both had individually been working on initiatives to improve wireless and network connections in rural Alaska.
In a joint statement, the companies said the partnership will benefit Alaskan customers since they will no longer have to work with multiple vendors to ensure a dependable Internet or wireless network connection.
"By combining GCI's customer-centric broadband delivery model with Integrated Logic's hands-on approach to building, fixing and managing customer networks, rural organizations have a real, comprehensive package to rural Alaska's networking and technology needs," said Chris Johnson, Integrated Logic's director of business development.
The Federal Communications Commission is working to expand broadband Internet service to rural communities all over the nation. There are about 24 million people in outlying areas who do not have high-speed wireless access, reported the agency, leaving many people behind as the Internet becomes more important in everyday American life.