Business Wire | May 11, 2021 08:55AM EDT

Alaska Communications Extends Safety Net to Alaskans Impacted by Pandemic

May 11, 2021

ANCHORAGE, Alaska--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 11, 2021--Help is on the way for Alaskans struggling to afford broadband. Alaska Communications (NASDAQ: ALSK) will participate in the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, which will help households struggling financially during the pandemic.

The Federal Communications Commission recently established the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program using COVID-19 relief funds.

The program will give eligible Alaska households a discount on broadband service of up to $75 a month.

"The pandemic demonstrated just how essential broadband access is for school, work, healthcare and quality of life," said Bill Bishop, president and CEO of Alaska Communications. "We're proud to offer our customers an affordable option for unlimited internet service; however, we don't want a customer's ability to pay to be the barrier. We're proud to participate in the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program, which will help reduce the financial burden on Alaskans."

As a participating provider, the company will receive reimbursement for delivering qualifying broadband services to eligible households.

A household is eligible if one member of the household: qualifies for the Lifeline program, receives government assistance such as free and reduce-priced school lunch or a Pell Grant, or experienced a substantial loss of income due to the pandemic.

Applications for the program open May 12, 2021.

Learn more at www.AlaskaCommunications.com/EBB.

About Alaska Communications

Alaska Communications (NASDAQ: ALSK) is the leading provider of advanced broadband and managed IT services for businesses and consumers in Alaska. The company operates a highly reliable, advanced statewide data network with the latest technology and the most diverse undersea fiber optic system connecting Alaska to the contiguous U.S. For more information, visit www.AlaskaCommunications.com or www.alsk.com.

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CONTACT: Media Contact: Heather Marron, 907-564-1326 Manager, Corporate Communications Investor Contact: Tiffany Smith, 907-564-7556 Manager, Board and Investor Relations investors@acsalaska.com