Arctic directory March 2021: ASTAC launches fastest internet offering to North Slope

Petroleum News

Arctic Slope Telephone Association Cooperative Inc. announced Feb. 9 the launch of the North Slope’s first and only 25/5Mbps, megabytes per second, internet service, called Home Internet 25+.

“Today we are proud to begin the launch of our Home Internet 25+ in Utqiagvik, Wainwright, Point Hope and Nuiqsut,” said Jens Laipenieks, ASTAC CEO/general manager. “This new offering will provide the speeds needed for families who continue to work and do schooling from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Since January 2018, ASTAC has installed more than 62 miles of fiber networks connecting almost 2,200 locations to fiber. Eighty-five percent of North Slope residences now have an end-to-end fiber optic broadband connection when coupled with Quintillion’s subsea fiber optic cable network.

“Quintillion is proud to partner with ASTAC to bring fast, reliable and affordable internet to these North Slope communities,” said Quintillion CEO George Tronsrue III. “Our subsea fiber network was built to help improve the lives of rural Alaska residents. These new services will do that and come at a time when they are needed more than ever.”

ASTAC now meets the Federal Trade Commission’s standard of 25Mbps (download speed) over 3Mbps (upload speed) to ensure rural Americans receive internet service comparable to those in urban areas.

For more information visit www.astac.net.