As I prepare to step down at the end of this year, it’s an honor to reflect on the remarkable progress MTA has made over the years, and I want to take this opportunity to share my thoughts on where we stand today—and where we are heading in the future.
In a world that continues to evolve at a rapid pace each and every day in terms of technological advancements, political and regulatory shifts, and the state of the telecommunications industry, MTA continues to stand as a beacon of forward progress for the people of Alaska.
The regulatory landscape continues to evolve, with the Alaska Connect Fund (formerly known as the Alaska Plan) remaining a key driver in the development and upkeep of network infrastructure. Alaska-based telecom companies, such as MTA, are balancing the growing demand for faster speeds with the limited availability of funding. We remain dedicated to advocating for the continuation of this essential support, and I’m proud of the efforts we've made in this area.
We proactively monitored changes in federal broadband funding programs—most notably Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD)and the uncertain future of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)—and adjusted our capital planning to prioritize areas that are most likely to remain eligible for funding. In parallel, our transport project planning was restructured to align with middle-mile funding guidance, ensuring both long-term compliance and risk mitigation.
MTA continues to stand as a beacon of forward progress for the people of Alaska.
—Michael Burke, CEO
MTA also invested in internal systems to support faster, more detailed reporting capabilities across finance and operations—critical for future audit readiness and grant compliance. At the state level, we actively engaged in the Alaska Broadband Office’s BEAD planning process to align our infrastructure strategy with state priorities.
Enhancing our compliance protocols to meet evolving requirements from the Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA) was another area of focus last year. This included updates to the Regulatory Cost Charge (RCC) and E911 surcharges. We also joined INDATEL, a national consortium of independent telecom providers, to enhance our service offerings and expand coverage, demonstrating our commitment to improving connectivity for MTA members.
Through our close working relationships with organizations such as the NTCA (The Rural Broadband Association) and the Alaska Telecom Association, our leadership team has kept our finger on the pulse of ongoing or proposed regulatory changes. This proactive approach has ensured that MTA and its members have remained at the forefront of the telecommunications industry, ready to adapt and innovate.
At MTA, we recognize that secure, reliable connectivity is crucial for economic growth, and we’ve remained committed to expanding opportunities for individuals and businesses across Alaska and beyond.
—Michael Burke, CEO
I’m excited to leave behind a co-op that is poised for continued growth. The MTA team remains committed to exploring every avenue for expanding and improving our network infrastructure in 2025. We are actively monitoring funding opportunities, including programs like BEAD, and we are fully prepared to apply for grants that will benefit Alaska’s future.
MTA’s economic impact goes beyond driving innovation, creating new products and services, employee salaries, and attracting top talent. Reliable connectivity opens doors to new projects, investments, and opportunities for local businesses; this is especially true in remote areas, where enhanced connectivity fosters entrepreneurship, education, and workforce development. At MTA, we recognize that secure, reliable connectivity is crucial for economic growth, and we’ve remained committed to expanding opportunities for individuals and businesses across Alaska and beyond.
This past summer, MTA successfully installed dozens of miles of fiber and is now managing multiple projects involving fiber placement and splicing. A significant effort is underway to transition thousands of households in key brownfield areas to Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) or prepare them for near-term updates, thereby creating a stronger foundation for future services. MTA crews are also working on three road improvement projects in collaboration with the Alaska Department of Transportation, and eight focused on Mat-Su Borough road upgrades.
The USDA ReConnect 4 grant project to deploy fiber to the Tyonek community is progressing. With engineering, permitting, and bidding complete, MTA is excited to advance this transformative project, which will enhance broadband access and create new opportunities in education, healthcare, and commerce for the remote community.
We're always looking for ways to enhance our members' experience. We expanded tools that make payment easier and more convenient—like text to pay, auto-draft, and paperless billing—reducing manual service loads and helping members manage their accounts more efficiently.
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With an increase in new projects arriving in our state, the need for telecom workers has continued to grow, and our partnership with Alaska Communications around the Alaska Joint Electrical Apprenticeship and Training Trust (AJEATT) program underscored our commitment to keeping jobs in Alaska and entrusting them to our own people. To further support our schools and workforce development, MTA had X number of internship opportunities available to students.
Looking ahead, I’m filled with confidence in MTA’s future. Whether through partnerships or on our own, I have no doubt that MTA will continue to lead the way in connecting Alaska’s communities. Our work has never been more critical, and I’m certain that the skilled team we have in place will take MTA to even greater heights in the years to come.
A Message from our Board
As the Board of Directors at MTA, we are deeply proud of the growth and wide-ranging accomplishments that MTA’s executive leadership led the organization through during a period of significant external changes.
In particular, as we reflect on the past 10 years of MTA’s story, it’s a privilege to acknowledge the exceptional leadership of our CEO, Michael Burke. His strategic vision and steadfast commitment to advancing MTA’s mission have been instrumental in navigating Alaska’s complex telecommunications landscape. Under his guidance, we have made significant strides, from the completion of the AlCan ONE project to the ongoing expansion of our network across our service area.
Through his tireless advocacy, MTA has strengthened its role as a key player in the state’s economic development, ensuring that reliable, high-speed connectivity reaches even the most remote areas. As Michael prepares to retire, we share our gratitude for the legacy of progress he leaves behind and are confident that the foundation he’s built will continue to push MTA forward.
The Board commends the progress made on multiple projects throughout our service area that will expand connectivity for Alaskans, along with the ongoing fiber transport and distribution project running from Pt. Mckenzie to Tyonek, boosting new opportunities in education, healthcare, and commerce, while bridging the digital divide. MTA also integrated the Mosaic Subscriber Insights (MSI) tool, which has already improved network visibility and allowed the company to deliver more proactive customer support.
As we move ahead through 2025, the Board endorses leadership’s ongoing focus on creating not only a better experience for members but also for our community as a whole. This confidence in management’s solid governance approach enables MTA to effectively navigate the challenges of the ever-evolving telecommunications sector. Each day, we see tangible updates on initiatives aimed at strengthening cybersecurity and data protection for members and ensuring regulatory compliance in an increasingly complex environment. MTA is aggressively expanding its fiber footprint while also enhancing copper infrastructure to deliver faster, more reliable service. At the same time, our team remains focused on growing membership and consistently improving the member experience across every touchpoint.
The Board is deeply thankful to our members, employees, and partners for their steadfast trust and support.
—The Board
We are cognizant of how quickly our industry is transforming, both in Alaska and across the globe, and we know that our competitors from 10 years ago may look very different than our competitors 10 years from now. However, the trust the Board has in our leadership, along with the sustainable practices and innovative solutions they continuously bring to the table, leaves us confident in MTA’s ability to remain truly at the forefront of our industry.
The Board is deeply thankful to our members, employees, and partners for their steadfast confidence and support. Together, we've laid the groundwork for a future focused on sustainability and innovation, enabling us to address the dynamic needs of our customers and keep them satisfied while expanding our growth into new products, projects and initiatives.
Moving forward, we remain focused on cultivating progress that not only supports our present but also enriches the future of Alaskans for many years to come.
Construction Update
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2024 was another year of steady progress for MTA—not just planning for the future but building it. We installed more than 168 miles of new fiber and completed nearly 500 infrastructure projects across our 10,000-square-mile service area. Thanks to that work, 24 neighborhoods—from Glacier View to Eagle River—now have access to faster, more reliable internet. That includes 68 new developments and upgrades in 86 existing communities, representing over $11.5 million in improvements. And with our AlCan ONE network continuing to serve as Alaska’s digital bridge to the Lower 48, we’re making sure our members stay connected to the world.
As growth continues across the region, we’ve kept pace—partnering with the Alaska Department of Transportation and the Mat-Su Borough on key road and utility projects. Altogether, these efforts generated over $5.1 million in economic impact for our communities. We also made big strides on major corridors like the Glenn Highway and Seward Meridian Parkway, getting close to the finish line on both.
Of course, none of this would be possible without our invaluable team. In 2024, 22 line crews—made up of 95 MTA employees—teamed up with local contractors, electricians, and support crews to keep our network growing strong. In total, more than 150 people were in the field, working hard every day to bring better service home to our members.
With new fiber planned and strategic partnerships driving progress across the region, we remain focused on enhancing connectivity, supporting local development, and delivering future-ready infrastructure for the communities we serve—completing 27 miles of clearing and 12.4 miles of directional boring.
One of the year’s highlights was the launch of a $12.6 million endeavor to facilitate the establishment of a 41-mile fiber project to bring fast, reliable internet to the Native Village of Tyonek. Funded by a USDA ReConnect 4 Grant, the fiber will run from MTA’s network at Point MacKenzie, extending to Beluga to supplant the existing microwave transport capacity with speeds up to 100/100 Mbps.
With engineering and permitting complete, construction is moving forward. [Placeholder for current status of work and next steps] This project is a key step in closing the digital divide, supporting access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunity in Tyonek.
In a historic move to advance Alaskan telecommunications beyond continental borders, MTA joined INDATEL, a nationwide network of more than 700 independent rural telecommunications providers. As a collective, INDATEL members own and operate more than 400,000 miles of fiber-optic routes and serve more than 2.3 million buildings in rural and suburban regions across the U.S.
Being a member of INDATEL benefits MTA members across the board, allowing MTA to leverage its extensive network infrastructure and collective bargaining power to enhance connectivity. The partnership was born out of a joint intention to provide trusted connectivity to underserved markets—forging connection for remote communities and protecting them against isolation by bridging the digital divide.
Community Update
As an Alaskan co-op, MTA remains dedicated to being involved in our communities in a wide variety of ways, from powering global sporting events and library technology resources to joining with a network of telecommunication providers to enhance connectivity for its members.
MTA is proud to have sponsored the Mat-Su 2024 Arctic Winter Games, providing both financial support and connectivity to power the sporting competition and its cultural gathering last March. The Winter Games, which took place throughout the Mat-Su Valley, benefited from MTA’s contribution of fiber extensions to the Matanuska-Susitna Borough and Wasilla that were key to powering volunteer event venues. This increased connectivity not only supported competition judging and timing of events, but also gave loved ones who couldn’t watch in person the ability to live-stream their favorite athletes competing. The event was a major success and an unforgettable week for all of those involved.
Connectivity in all forms is essential to a thriving community, which is why MTA awarded $4,800 to the City of Palmer Public Library to fund four computer stations as part of NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association’s Community Grants. These stations will promote adult technical literacy, job-seeking efforts and senior technology adoption – a reminder of MTA’s commitment to not only connect but to empower and innovate as well.
With our ongoing connectivity projects, strong partnerships, and community initiatives playing a role, we were honored to be named the Best Telecommunications Provider in the Best of Alaska Business awards, and proudly ranked #55 in Alaska Business Magazine’s Corporate 100.
Team/Workforce Update
MTA couldn’t provide all the services and connectivity to Alaskans that it does without a strong, evolving workforce, and we're particularly dedicated to helping the tech and telecom industries thrive here in Alaska.
Recognizing the trend of tech workers leaving Alaska, we’re continuing to prioritize investments in education and job creation to foster sustainable growth in our communities. Last year, in partnership with Alaska Communications, we launched the Alaska Join Electrical Apprenticeship and Training Trust (AJEATT), offering hands-on training covering a range of critical roles. MTA worked with 10-15 [NEED to confirm exact number] apprentices, helping them develop essential technical skills and a deep understanding of our standards, expectations and company culture so our apprentices can seamlessly transition into full-time roles. This initiative, aligned with federal broadband investments, will help further bridge the digital divide while creating skilled jobs in our state – and ultimately ensure that innovation will be more widespread for years to come.
Additionally, we’ve continued our commitment to inspiring the next generations to consider careers in tech and telecom through our annual Youth Technology Tour. For the third year, [NUMBER] students from local communities were given a comprehensive overview of available careers within the industry, from customer service to engineering and construction. This behind-the-scenes view offers valuable insights into the diverse roles and career pathways available to them.
MTA Foundation
Each year, the MTA Foundation proudly supports and celebrates the goals and accomplishments of community members across our region. In 2024, we donated to a diverse range of organizations, including Mat-Su Valley Rebuild, Denali Education Center, the Talkeetna Community Radio, Last Frontier Honor Flight, MY House, and the Wasilla-Knik Historical Society.
Believing that the strength of Alaska’s future workforce lies in the hands of today’s students, we were proud to award $75,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors, continuing education students, and those seeking vocational certifications for trade and technical programs.
In addition, our annual Employee Giving Campaign raised a total of $23,200, benefiting both United Way Mat-Su and Alaska Behavioral Health, which is the state’s largest community behavioral health center, with offices in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Wasilla.
Broadband: The Backbone of Modern Alaska
What you're seeing here is the story of transformation. Since 2017, MTA has not only grown its broadband membership base significantly, but we've also seen an exponential rise in how much our members rely on that connection.
Usage has surged—more than quadrupling—reflecting the shift to remote work, online learning, streaming, gaming, and smart home technology - and we expect that trend to continue. While customer growth has begun to level off, demand per household continues to climb, reaffirming that broadband is a lifeline. This chart is a clear signal: MTA’s investment in fiber and infrastructure isn’t just justified—it’s essential. The future depends on it, and we’re building that future now.
Closing Message
Reflecting on this past year of continued growth and looking forward to a future full of opportunity, MTA’s commitment to connecting Alaska remains resolute. Workforce development, innovative products and ambitious projects will continue throughout 2025 in our continued refinement of reliable, streamlined and future-proof service.
MTA, along with the MTA Foundation, will continue to advocate for increased access and technological growth among Alaskans through community engagement and investment, advancing MTA’s mission to be Alaska’s beacon of connectivity.
Through the support of its members and the visionary leadership of Michael Burke, MTA has been able to build, adapt and create on a foundation set over the past seven decades, and we will continue to pave a path to the future for Alaska.
