JUNEAU -- The Federal Communications Commission says thousands of rural Alaskans will have access to affordable, higher-speed Internet through its Connect America Fund.

The fund is intended to connect millions of rural Americans to broadband. And FCC says Alaska Communications accepted nearly $4.2 million to increase broadband access in this state.

FCC says more than 14,000 rural Alaska should benefit once the build-out is completed. Alaska Communications must complete two-thirds of its new broadband commitments within two years, and the remainder by the third year.