August 15, 2008
Universal Wireless Service on the way!
YKHC Technology Services
GCI plans to launch wireless phone and internet service in approximately 200 rural villages statewide over the next three years. The first locations are to have service by October of this year.
YKHC President/CEO Gene Peltola and Chief Information Officer David Hodges have been pushing for this service in order to supply YKHC patients and providers better communications in the region.
Hodges says the service upgrade will give YKHC and other village customers statewide cell phone access. GCI will also have roaming agreements in place for calling in the Lower 48, Hawaii, Canada, and Mexico. This means that your cell phone in Bethel will finally work in Anchorage or while you are on vacation in Honolulu.
Once wireless service is launched, customers in rural locations will have access to GCI wireless voice, text messaging and data services. Customers will be able choose from a wide range of mobile handsets-from basic and inexpensive to higher end handsets-as well as more weather resistant rugged handsets. They can also choose a fixed desktop device or a fixed terminal device, which can be hooked up to their existing landline phone. Blackberry devices and other smartphones will be available as well.
Hodges says there's no specific information available just yet on the packages and plans that will be offered, but customers will be able to choose from plans which offer the following: unlimited calling within a customer's home village - including all calls to and from other wireless and/or wireline customers, Alaska statewide calling plans and nationwide calling plans. Customers will also be able to add additional lines at reduced rates.
"This will have a far-reaching effect for healthcare in our region," Hodges said. "This technology will allow patients and providers an inexpensive method to stay connected to healthcare services and personnel. This brings us the capability to assist and respond to medical services in a more efficient and expedient manner-something other areas of the world have been doing for decades."
Timeline for Wireless Rollout
October 1, 2008
- Bethel
- Kotlik
- Quinhagak
- Akiachak
- Kwethluk
- Russian Mission
- Akiak
- Kwigillingok
- Saint Marys/Pitkas Point
- Alakanuk
- Marshall
- Scammon Bay
- Atmautluak
- Mekoryuk
- Toksook Bay
- Chefornak
- Mountain Village
- Tuluksak
- Chevak
- Napakiak
- Tuntutliak
- Eek
- Napaskiak/Oscarville
- Tununak
- Emmonak
- Newtok
- Hooper Bay
- Nightmute
- Kipnuk
- Kasigluk
- Nunam Iqua Point
- Nunapitchuk
- Kongiganak
- Pilot Station
August 1, 2009
- Aniak
- Chuathbaluk
Sept. 1, 2010
- Anvik
- Crooked Creek
- Grayling
- Holy Cross
- Kalskag
- Red Devil
- Shageluk
- Sleetmute
