Have you tried using these services? It can take anywhere from 5-60 minutes just to send a message. It's a reason they often go from 10-20 messages included in the monthly cost to unlimited for only a few bucks more. You're not going to be sending many. All sending and receiving happens through their proprietary application.

I assume we're talking a deep Bush situation, as all but the tiniest villages have regular Internet service nowadays.

Might be worth looking into Starlink, if you haven't already. I know it does have coverage in at least some regions of the state now.

Source: have lived in Alaska for many years.