MTA to assist MSBSD families with reduced-cost internet

PALMER — The Matanuska Telephone Association has established a partnership with the Mat-Su Borough School District to provide reduced-cost internet to MSBSD families in an effort to ensure that students have internet connectivity for online education. The partnership was made possible in part by the Mat-Su Health Foundation.

“Education is a key social determinant of health,” said Mat-Su Health Foundation President and CEO Elizabeth Ripley. “We are pleased to support the efforts of MTA and the Mat-Su Borough School District to ensure equitable access to the internet for children and families throughout the community.”

Prior to this partnership, MTA had set up wi-fi hotspots for use by MSBSD students throughout the Mat-Su Valley.

“The COVID-19 pandemic brought about an immediate need for distance learning and for our communities to work together to enable that,” Randy Trani, Superintendent of Mat-Su Borough School District, said. “Thanks to this partnership with MTA and the Mat-Su Health Foundation, we will be able to fulfill the crucial need for internet access for families lacking it, in turn making sure more students’ education can continue.”

The initiative was announced in a press release on March 8 and aims to close the digital divide that was exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Whether it is a business, nonprofit, school, co-op or government entity, it is incumbent upon all of us to do everything in our power to make sure all Americans have access to a reliable, high-speed internet connection,” Michael Burke, CEO of MTA, said. “Even before COVID-19 struck our country and our community, we have worked hard to make sure Mat-Su residents – and students in particular – are connected, and we are proud to partner with the Mat-Su Health Foundation and Mat-Su Borough School District to take more concrete action on this front.”

Additionally, MTA received national recognition from the NTCA and the Rural Broadband Association, which represents nearly 850 independent, community-based telecommunications companies. MTA CEO Michael Burke received the Management Innovation Award for leadership in developing MTA into a modern telecommunications company and work to support the creation of the FCC’s ‘Alaska Plan.’ MTA Vice President of Marketing Johnathan Babbitt received the Outstanding Marketing Achievement Award.

“It is truly an honor to present these awards every year, and recognizing those individuals whose accomplishments have made such an impact on the rural broadband industry is one of my very favorite parts of my job,” said NTCA Chief Executive Officer Shirley Bloomfield, who presented the awards. “I want to congratulate and thank each and every one of our award winners for their contributions to our industry.”