News
Notice Regarding Increases to the NAF and AUSF
Beginning August 1, 2011 telecommunications customers will see changes to the fees assessed on their services. These changes are the result of new regulations adopted by the Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA) and supported by the telecommunications industry.
A large portion of the cost of landline connections from customer’s homes and businesses to the long-distance network within Alaska has historically been paid for by the long distance service providers who then recover that cost from customers through rates for in-state long distance calls. This is part of the reason Alaska’s rates for long-distance calls within the state have not declined as much as the rates for long-distance calls out-of-state. The RCA, seeking to remedy this growing divergence between in-state and out-of-state rates, has mirrored federal access charge reforms which recover these costs, in part, through a universal service mechanism. A similar system for Alaska will be implemented through these changes:
- The Network Access Fee (NAF) will increase from $3.00 to $3.75 per month with annual increases over four years until the total monthly fee reaches $5.75. The NAF is a monthly charge to connect landline service to the in-state long distance network. Lifeline customers will not be impacted by this increase.
- The Alaska Universal Service Fund (AUSF) surcharge will increase to 9.5 percent of the cost for each service. This surcharge ensures that Alaskans, like Americans living in other high-cost remote areas, have access to affordable telecommunications services. The surcharge increase will fund any in-state network costs not covered by the increased NAF. The AUSF surcharge will later decrease as the NAF increases. The AUSF surcharge is applied to all telecommunications services.
For additional information regarding these changes, please call a customer service representative at 1-800-478-3127. Information may also be obtained at the RCA website at http://rca.alaska.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Increases to the NAF and AUSF
Q. Will Lifeline customers pay more for their service?
A. Lifeline customers will continue to pay just $1 for basic service but the 1.32% AUSF surcharge will now be 9.5%, an increase of 8 cents applicable to the $1 Lifeline rate. The AUSF rate would also be applied to any additional services such as custom calling features.
Q. Why are calls to other states less expensive than calls within Alaska?
A. The regulator for interstate calls, the Federal Communications Commission, made changes to its regulations about ten years ago that are similar to what the RCA is doing now within the state of Alaska. Since then the rates for interstate calls have decreased significantly. The growing divergence between in-state and out-of-state rates is part of what has prompted this action by the RCA.
Q. Why do cellular services have to pay a surcharge to pay for the landline network?
A. Cellular service, as well as Internet-based communications, depend on the same telecommunications infrastructure that long distance carriers use and pay for; however, they previously have not been charged for their use except for Alaska Universal Service surcharges.
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We are moving!
TelAlaska is moving Customer Service Offices from the Old Federal Building on Front Street to our new location in the TelAlaska Operations Center, 204 W. First Street. Stop in, our friendly and knowledgeable representatives can match your telecom needs with the best cellular, telephone and Internet Services in Nome.
View Flyer »
Nome/Seward/Unalaska
2011 Phone Book Cover Photo Contest
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Note: photo contest deadline extended to January 28
Attention Customers: Notice Regarding January Billing
Please be advised that TelAlaska experienced a delay in billing for January 2010. Your monthly statement was mailed on Wednesday, January 6. We apologize for any inconvenience.
December 23, 2009
Download 2009 Winter Newsletter.
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July 09, 2009
Download Customer Newsletter.
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Notice Regarding eBill
Beginning July 1, TelAlaska will no longer offer a $2 per month discount for those customers enjoying the convenience of having their monthly TelAlaska payment available on line and their payment automatically charged to a credit card. The discount is being eliminated due to program costs that have driven some other companies to discontinue the service altogether.
Participants in TelAlaska's Autopay and eBill programs will still be able to take advantage of these services without charge. Only the $2 discount is being discontinued.
If you are an eBill subscriber, notices will continue to be sent to your email address, advising you when your bill is ready for viewing on our website.
If you are not an Autopay or eBill customer and you wish to become one, visit www.telalaska.com and follow the steps for setting up an Autopay or eBill account.
With eBill, you can access and pay your monthly bill online. TelAlaska will no longer send you a printed statement in the mail. When you also subscribe to the Autopay feature, your payment also can be automatically charged to your credit card.
Attention Customers: Notice Regarding January Billing
Please be advised that TelAlaska experienced a delay in billing for January 2010. Your monthly statement was mailed on Wednesday, January 6. We apologize for any inconvenience.
December 23, 2009
Download 2009 Winter Newsletter.
Click here for details
July 09, 2009
Download Customer Newsletter.
Click here for details
February 17, 2009
Official Notice Regarding Transition to Digital Television
The transition to digital television is underway. On Feb. 17, some full-power broadcast television stations in the United States may stop broadcasting on analog airwaves and begin broadcasting only in digital. The remaining stations may stop broadcasting analog sometime between March 14 and June 12. The final deadline for terminating analog broadcasts is June 12, 2009. This transition to digital broadcasting means that analog-only televisions using an antenna may be unable to display full-power broadcast programming without a converter box. Analog-only TVs should continue to work as before to receive low power, Class A or translator television stations and with cable and satellite TV services, gaming consoles, VCRs, DVD players, and similar products. Viewers can get more information at www.DTV.gov. Information about the subsidized coupon program for converter boxes is available at www.dtv2009.gov or by calling
1-888-DTV-2009.
Click here for details
November 21, 2008
Download Winter 2008 Newsletter.
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October 15, 2008
TelAlaska’s Nome Staff Achieves AKOSH Safety Program Recognition.
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October 10, 2008
TelAlaska Management Named Following ABB Acquisition.
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October 10, 2008
TelAlaska was named as one of the Best Places to Work in Alaska for 2008.
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July 28, 2008
Download Customer Newsletter.
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July 4th, 2008
ABB Acquires TelAlaska.
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April 24, 2008
Alaska Rural Telecom Pioneer Dies.
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April 5, 2008
Congress has mandated that after February 17, 2009, full-power analog broadcasting will end. Due to the Nation’s transition to digital broadcasting,
analog-only televisions using an antenna may be unable to display full-power broadcast programming without a converter box. Analog-only TVs should
continue to work as before to receive low power, Class A or translator television stations and with cable and satellite TV services, gaming consoles,
VCRs, DVD players, and similar products. Viewers can get more information at www.DTV.gov. Information about the subsidized coupon program for converter
boxes is available at www.dtv2009.gov or by calling 1-888-DTV-2009.
Click here for details
March 31, 2008
TelAlaska Names Bill Thompson Nome Area Supervisor
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July 24, 2007
Alaska Communications Systems Announces TelAlaska as ACS Wireless Agent and Grand Opening of Retail Outlet in Seward.
Click here for details
July 18, 2007
American Broadband to Acquire TelAlaska, Inc.
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April 16, 2007
TelAlaska Offers High-Speed Internet Service in Fort Yukon
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November 9, 2006
TelAlaska to Offer High-Speed Internet Service in Galena
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Travel in the Know!
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities has introduced 511 Travel in the Know, a telephone and Internet service to help travelers access continually updated travel information.
Types of Information Available:
- Weather-related road conditions
- Traffic incidents
- Highway construction and maintenance
- Highway closures
- Natural disasters affecting highway travel, e.g. earthquakes, avalanches, etc.
- Route-specific road conditions, e.g. Anchorage to Fairbanks
- Near real-time ferry arrival/departure information - Coming Soon!
- Overweight/oversize permit information for commercial vehicles - Coming Soon!
As the system evolves, 511 will provide additional information, such as:
- Local roads - Local traffic conditions, congestion, delays, etc.
- Public transportation
Where to Get the Information
- Dial 5-1-1 from any phone
- Visit the Web site: 511.Alaska.gov
The phone version of 511 Travel in the Know is specific to phones used within Alaska. If you want to hear the 511 Travel in the Know and you're dialing from outside Alaska, simply dial 1-866-282-7577 (toll free).
We've expanded our DSL service area in Seward!
Seward.Net's Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) Internet Service is now available in the following areas, in addition to the downtown core:
Forest Acres
Exit Glacier
Camelot
Salmon Creek Road
Questa Woods
Download Our Customer Newsletter, TeleTalk!
Click below to download the latest version of our customer newsletter, Teletalk.
TeleTalk, Winter 2007
You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the newsletter. Download Acrobat Reader here for free!
Special Event Tent Program in Seward
TelAlaska operates a special event tent program in the summer months. There is one 8ft x 15ft, canopy-style tent available for use at various events.
The tent works well at races, festivals, picnics and many other outdoor events. Groups have been known to use it as shelter for registration tables, first aid and food service.
Organizations requesting the tent must first check on availability and then fill out the application on the following page and a Release and Waiver form. TelAlaska will return a signed copy of these documents to the applicant as proof of the reservation.
Before and after the event, TelAlaska personnel will be on hand to set-up and take down the tent to insure proper assembly and packaging.
Non-profit organizations that need to report the value of this donation may calculate $200 per day.
