Arctic Directory Sept 2023: GCI fiber in three more Aleutian schools, clinics

Petroleum News

GCI said July 21 that its crews have successfully launched fiber-optic connectivity for the schools and clinics in King Cove, Sand Point and Akutan. This marks a major milestone in the company's AU-Aleutians fiber project, which will connect a dozen Aleutian, Alaska Peninsula and Kodiak Island communities to GCI's 6,000+ mile subsea fiber-optic network.

Bringing fiber to some of the state's most-remote education and healthcare facilities is a significant step toward closing the digital divide in rural Alaska.

"Imagine even one day without students having access to media-rich learning materials or educational videos in the classroom or a doctor being unable to quickly exchange information with specialists in other parts of the state," said Vice President of GCI healthcare and education Annette Jones. "For most of us, it's unthinkable. Now, healthcare professionals and educators in these three communities will have ready access to the resources those in urban areas have long taken for granted."

GCI crews are currently preparing for the launch of residential 2.5 gig internet speeds in King Cove and Sand Point. The service, which is expected to be available to customers by the end of 2023, will bring urban speeds, plans, pricing and unlimited data to both communities.

"Our crews are working hard and we're on track to meet our end of 2023 deadline to launch 2.5 gig residential internet speeds to the residents of King Cove and Sand Point," said GCI Senior Project Manager Mike Bertsch. "Our crews are currently deploying fiber-optic cable throughout the thousands of feet of conduit installed in both communities."

The AU-Aleutians Fiber Project runs approximately 800 miles from Kodiak along the south side of the Alaska Peninsula and the Aleutians to Unalaska. The project, which currently delivers 2,500 Mbps residential internet speeds to Unalaska, will bring urban speeds, plans and pricing to King Cove, Unalaska, Sand Point, Akutan, Chignik Bay, Chignik Lake, Chignik Lagoon, Cold Bay, Larsen Bay, False Pass, Ouzinkie and Port Lions.

For more information visit www.gci.com.