Digital Transition in Alaska

Digital Transition in Alaska

Ping Lan (University of Alaska Fairbanks, USA)
Copyright: © 2012 |Pages: 15
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-61350-192-4.ch009

Abstract

This chapter conducts a preliminary assessment on the early digital transition in Alaska by systematically examining the usage of the Internet in Alaska from five aspects: local information and communication technology providers, top 100 private firms, small private firms crossing different programs, the Government, and varied Alaskan communities. Over 1,000 websites were analyzed. It finds that Alaska is very committed to turning digital opportunities into a development force. The digital transition in Alaska is at various stages throughout the State. This digital transition benefits consumers instead of suppliers. It is driven by government instead of private sectors. It is strong at basic components or lower levels instead of demonstrating a balanced structure.
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Action Cone In A Digital Space

Generally speaking, the changes brought about by the ICT to Alaska are results of the interface of the following two components as shown in Figure 1. One is a digital space on which various activities are taking place. The other is the efforts made by Alaskan to catch digital opportunities. This section first describes briefly the structure of the digital space; then it discusses contents of the action cone which are relevant to Alaska. The combination of the two components constitutes the working framework for this investigation.

Figure 1.

[An Action Cone in a Digital Space] (Developed by the author based on Lan (2002) and DOT Force (2001, 2002)

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