Preserving History While Connecting Rural America: Broadband Expansion in Remote Alaska

NCTA's documentary "Every Last Mile," which premiered this summer, tells the untold story of three broadband crews overcoming significant challenges to connect some of the most remote parts of America. The film captures the resilience and determination of teams working through extreme conditions-from Alaska's rugged islands to the deserts of Arizona-to ensure rural communities are connected to the digital world.

One of the locations featured in the film is King Cove, Alaska, a remote fishing community accessible only by air and sea, and home to a native population that stretches back 10,000-years.

A key part of the construction project was the presence of a field archaeologist, who worked closely with broadband crews to ensure the protection of tribal lands and the preservation of artifacts that hold deep significance to the region's native populations. This crucial collaboration helped safeguard the community's history and culture while bringing much-needed connectivity to the area.

NCTA chatted with Wyatt Rowe, the broadband project's on-site field archaeologist, to learn about his role during construction.