The Impracticality of Widescale Fiber Broadband in Alaska

Recently released records show that the Biden administration’s heavy fiber focus for broadband deployment was extraordinarily costly to taxpayers. Obtained by the Taxpayers Protection Alliance Foundation through a Freedom of Information Act request to the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2023 the files show that taxpayers footed the bill for little-used fiber broadband connections in Alaska. For one project, the total cost was more than $2 million per residence or business passed. While fiber may be appropriate for certain locations, these projects are breaking the bank and costing taxpayers dearly. 

[Johnny Kampis is director of telecom policy for the Taxpayers Protection Alliance]