Oil patch bits: ASTAC brings 4G LTE service to Alaska’s Dalton Highway

Petroleum News

Arctic Slope Telephone Association Cooperative Inc. said Jan. 4 that it turned up three new 4G LTE sites this week making it the first telecommunications company to bring wireless coverage from the Brooks Range to Deadhorse where no other coverage had existed previously. These sites will improve safety and connectivity along this remote 414-mile critical Alaska corridor for both ASTAC and AT&T wireless customers. ASTAC has plans to turn up three additional sites on the Dalton Highway in 2021.

In October 2017, ASTAC turned up its first three 4G LTE wireless sites in Kuparuk and Deadhorse. The following September, ASTAC expanded 4G LTE coverage in Utqiaġvik, Wainwright and Deadhorse, vastly improving wireless Internet speeds.

Quality 4G LTE wireless service is an essential part of many people’s lives. The ability to utilize and experience high-speed Internet in richer ways opens new possibilities for both people and businesses. From streaming videos to online classes at universities, the Internet of Things and improved oil field analytics, to the delivery of near instantaneous medical information, users will improve how they connect with the world by experiencing data speeds up to eight times faster.

“ASTAC is committed to closing the technology gap across the North Slope to enhance our members’ experiences and improve safety in some of the most remote places in Alaska. 4G LTE is a big part of that effort and a real game-changer in the region,” said Jens Laipenieks, ASTAC CEO/general manager.

ASTAC provides Broadband Ethernet and Internet, LTE wireless as well as local and long-distance services across the North Slope. Additionally, ASTAC offers a Nomadic WAN and Internet service using the North Slope’s only private LTE network covering the oil fields. For more information visit www.astac.net.