Alaska Communications, Akeela First to Connect to Microsoft ExpressRoute Cloud Service from Alaska

Alaska Communications delivers private, secure cloud service connection

Behavioral health provider Akeela can now serve more patients with a higher level of care through a private cloud connection from Alaska Communications (NASDAQ:ALSK).

Akeela is a non-profit organization that offers an array of behavioral health prevention and clinical services throughout Alaska.

Alaska Communications, the first Microsoft Azure ExpressRoute partner based in Alaska, now provides the nonprofit with private, secure, and reliable connectivity to Microsoft Azure cloud services. The dedicated cloud connection helps Akeela meet Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act requirements, and increase operational efficiencies.

Microsoft selected Alaska Communications as its Azure ExpressRoute partner because of its secure, reliable, redundant fiber optic network, connecting Alaska to the Lower 48. It is the first Alaska-based carrier that is Ethernet 2.0 certified, providing the ultimate in network reliability and security.

“By serving our network and IT needs, we can focus on what we do best – serving the health care needs of Alaskans,” Akeela COO Mark Marlow said. “We can now move applications into the Microsoft cloud, reducing costs, making us more productive, collaborative, and mobile. Alaska Communications continues to listen to our needs, then designs, custom builds and maintains solutions through their many IT partners.”

“We’re proud to provide Akeela with a direct connection to the Microsoft cloud, allowing them to focus on their mission while we bring them best-in-class broadband and managed IT services,” Bill Bishop, senior vice president, business market, Alaska Communications, said.

Akeela first partnered with Alaska Communications, the state’s leading broadband and IT solutions provider, in 2015, to build a private, secure network connecting clinicians with patients via video conferencing and other telehealth tools.

About Alaska Communications

Alaska Communications (NASDAQ:ALSK) is the leading provider of advanced broadband and managed IT services for businesses and consumers in Alaska. The company operates a highly reliable, advanced statewide data network with the latest technology and the most diverse undersea fiber optic system connecting Alaska to the contiguous U.S. For more information, visit www.AlaskaCommunications.com or www.alsk.com.

About Akeela

Akeela, Inc. is a non-profit organization offering a comprehensive array of services for the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, and alcohol abuse, in Anchorage, Alaska and other communities throughout the state. Akeela was founded in 1974 by a group of concerned citizens and serves the community by striving to “enhance the ability of citizens and their families to succeed in life.” For more information, visit www.akeela.us.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160901006391/en/

Alaska CommunicationsMedia Contact:Hannah Blankenship, 907-564-1326Manager, Corporate [e-mail] Contact:Tiffany Dunn, 907-297-3103Manager, Board and Investor [e-mail]