Abstract :
Discusses the objectives of a rural telephone service, cost, implementation , and social and economic impact. The availability of satellite communications changed the feasibility of providing adequate and reliable service to small villages. The earth station design procured for the original installation allowed the station to grown to eight SCPC voice grade channels and TV receive only services. With its oil revenues during the 1970s, Alaska was able to build an infrastructure using a mix of satellite technology, terrestrial radio links and small digital exchanges
