4G in much of rural Alaska and increased internet download speeds, too, are at the core of a plan drafted by the Federal Communications Commission and Alaska's telecommunications providers.

The FCC announced its latest plan on how to distribute federal funds for telecommunications efforts, and the strings that will be attached, in late August. That should mean better service throughout the state, including in Bristol Bay.

The FCC announced the latest version of the so-called Alaska Plan Aug. 31, which outlines funding for Alaska telecommunications companies for the next ten years to support improvements to broadband and mobile service in rural Alaska. That's part of $4.5 million in federal funding for communications improvements in hard to serve areas through the Universal Service Fund. The plan, which was developed in concert with providers, requires them to agree to meet certain benchmarks in exchange for the stable funding plan. Carriers who do not sign on to the plan could instead receive reduced funding, but would not be required to offer the improved service, although early work suggests that most, or all, will participate.

Up to $55.7 million could be disbursed to Alaska broadband providers, depending on how many of the 19 eligible carriers submit, and receive approval, for work plans. Wireless carriers are also eligible for a new funding plan. In all, that could make 4G or better service available to 85 percent of rural Alaska residents, and would also result in improved broadband speeds.

Participating carriers in developing the Alaska Plan include Nushagak Cooperative, Bristol Bay Telephone Cooperative and GCI, as well as several other regional providers, such as Adak Eagle Enterprises, Copper Valley Telecom, OTZ Telephone Cooperative, TelAlaska, and others.

To receive funding, providers must make specific commitments in terms of future service. If carriers sign on for future funding, they'll be required to meet the standards outlined in the plan, in exchange for 10 years of funding at a set level. The enhanced funding can also only be used for locations where there is not a competing carrier that doesn't receive federal funding. Reports on where service is offered will be required from participants yearly beginning in March 2018, and the improved broadband service is also expected to be "reasonably comparable" in price and usage allowances to that available elsewhere.

The FCC proposal does, however, offer some flexibility for areas where geography, climate and infrastructure issues make enhanced internet speeds particularly difficult.

On the wireless side, the FCC said that the improvements should decrease the number of communities with 2G service only, and increase the number of places in rural Alaska where 3G and 4G service is available, with 122,119 Alaskans outside of the state's hub communities having access to 4G in 10 years. Support for 4G is specifically not part of the plan for the urban parts of the state where it is already available in many areas.

GCI General Counsel Tina Pidgeon wrote in a statement that Alaska carriers like GCI could leverage the federal funding to improve its offerings.

Alaska Telephone Association Executive Director Christine O'Connor also supported the announcement in the statement.

"The FCC's adoption of the Alaska Plan is a major step towards bringing more advanced broadband communications to rural Alaska," O'Connor wrote. " ... In addition to providing Alaskans with better access to broadband service, over the next decade the Alaska Plan will spur infrastructure projects across the state and will man more jobs for Alaskans."

ATA is referenced throughout the FCC plan as having helped put together the Alaska Plan. The FCC is taking comments on the effort for two months.

Molly Dischner can be reached at mdischner@reportalaska.com.