Contributed by Jessica Gilbert, MTA PR Manager
Locally-owned and operated technology/communications cooperative, MTA has partnered with the City of Wasilla, the City of Palmer, the City of Houston and the Matanuska-Susitna Borough to install “drive-in” WiFi hot spots in various parking lots that allow residents to connect while still respecting the need for social distancing amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
WiFi hot spots currently set up include:
· Curtis D. Menard Center’s South Parking Lot
· Matanuska-Susitna Borough Administration Building’s East Parking Lot
· Houston Fire Station 9-1’s South Parking Lot
· Palmer Library’s Front Parking Lot
· Big Lake Library’s Parking Lot
“The need to close public spaces like libraries has left those who don’t have internet at home and who rely on hot spots without any way to get online. We wanted to work with the community to create a unique solution,” said Michael Burke, CEO of MTA. “We work every day to make sure we’re equipping members of our co-op and our community with the technology and resources they need to continue leading a connected life during this crisis.”
In addition to the public WiFi hot spots, MTA has taken a number of other actions to address this crisis, including temporarily suspending service disconnections, supporting students and educators with temporary service upgrades at no extra cost, and completing installations of new equipment without MTA specialists entering members’ homes.
For more updates and resources on MTA’s response to the COVID-19 crisis, including additional hot spots that may be built moving forward, please visit www.mtasolutions.com/covid-19/.
