Arctic Directory: Communications expert NSTI celebrates its 30thMeeting challenging projects head-on gives NSTI its edge over the competition
North to Alaska
Straight from the beginning North Slope Telecom Inc. was uniquely suited to perform telecommunications design and installation projects in Alaska, as well as other extreme, remote locations and climates. Established in 1980 by William Laxson, current president and principal engineer, NSTI began as a general contracting firm, specializing in design, construction, and maintenance of telecommunications systems in the remote Arctic and subarctic. Coming to Alaska in 1975, Laxson, who holds a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from Oregon State University, an electrical administrator’s license, and an FCC general radiotelephone license, has extensive experience in the design and installation of telecommunications systems, including two-way radio, microwave, satellite links, and corporate data networks. He has been providing the oil industry with reliable communications systems for the past 30 years.
Making a name for itself With experienced engineering and technical staff, NSTI continues to provide solutions with time, budget and terrain challenges in mind, meeting them head-on with great success. The team recently designed and fielded a modular electronic equipment support package, the Rapid Deployable Solar System, which includes power generation, storage and distribution, and can be used to support remote standalone applications such as telemetry, video surveillance, and radio communications. The RDSS incorporates over 20 years of experience and is the third-generation system of its design. Sharing the same obstacles as any other company that operates in remote regions, NSTI utilizes an extensive materials handling department to support all efforts and meet challenges head-on. During the installation of a telecommunications infrastructure on Oooguruk Island for Pioneer Natural Resources, the NSTI team was able to remain on budget and ahead of schedule, even as components of the project struggled with schedule delays and scope change.
The future looks bright for NSTI Expanding into new markets is on the horizon for NSTI and to meet its goals the company embarked on the construction of a new 7,500-square-foot facility in the summer of 2009. The new building will have office, warehouse and fabrication space. NSTI currently owns a 12,000-square-foot facility in Anchorage with 8,000 square feet of warehouse, shop and fabrication space, 4,000 square feet of office space, additional paved staging and outdoor storage. In addition, NSTI is beginning to work on projects outside of the oil and gas industry, and outside of the North Slope of Alaska, bringing its skills and services to competitive companies in Anchorage and the Mat-Su.
Safety is paramount at NSTI, with its safety and training unsurpassed, providing its employees with an in-house safety coordinator, responsible for training staff on all applicable standards, including ASH, OSHA, NEC and NESC, resulting in over 150,000 man-hours worked annually, with zero hours lost due to injury.
North Slope Telecom continues to strive to meet the needs of its clients, stay competitive, and expand projects; all the while remaining a 100 percent Alaska owned company.
NSTI will be celebrating its 30th anniversary this summer.
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