Intelsat and OneWeb Boost Alaska Connectivity with Multi-Orbit Satellite Services

In a significant development for Alaska’s telecommunications landscape, Intelsat and OneWeb have expanded their partnership to deliver multi-orbit satellite broadband services throughout the state. This collaboration enables GCI, Alaska’s largest telecommunications provider, to offer both geostationary and low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite services to government agencies and businesses statewide. The integration of LEO services aims to enhance network performance, particularly for mission-critical applications.

Background

Alaska’s vast and remote geography has historically posed challenges for reliable broadband access. For over three decades, GCI has utilized a combination of fiber, microwave, and satellite technologies to meet the growing demand for connectivity across the state. The expanded agreement with Intelsat and OneWeb represents a strategic move to enhance service offerings and address the unique connectivity needs of Alaskan communities.

The Alaska Plan, approved in August 2016, secured federal funding through 2026 to support wireless and internet service upgrades. GCI receives a portion of that funding, enabling the company to invest in technology and infrastructure necessary to connect some of the smallest and most remote communities in the nation.

The partnership with Intelsat and OneWeb aligns with GCI’s commitment to bridging the digital divide in Alaska, ensuring that even the most remote areas have access to reliable, high-speed internet services.

Details of the Expansion

The expanded partnership between Intelsat, OneWeb, and GCI introduces a multi-orbit satellite service that combines geostationary (GEO) and low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. This integration aims to provide comprehensive coverage and enhanced performance across Alaska. GCI will leverage Intelsat’s extensive GEO services alongside OneWeb’s LEO constellation to deliver high-speed, low-latency broadband connectivity to its customers.

OneWeb’s LEO satellites are designed to offer internet speeds of up to 195 megabits per second, supporting high-definition video streaming and other bandwidth-intensive applications. This capability complements GCI’s existing network, which already provides internet speeds up to 2.5 gigabits per second to 80% of Alaskans.

Benefits to Alaskan Customers

The integration of GEO and LEO satellite services is expected to significantly enhance connectivity for Alaskan residents and businesses. The multi-orbit approach offers improved network performance, reduced latency, and increased redundancy, which are crucial for mission-critical applications. This development is particularly beneficial for regional tribal health care providers, school districts, government agencies, and businesses operating in remote areas.

GCI’s commitment to expanding its network ensures that 97% of Alaskans will have access to reliable broadband services, fostering economic growth and improving quality of life in underserved communities.

Challenges and Considerations

While the multi-orbit service offers numerous advantages, there are challenges to consider. GCI will need to deploy separate terminals to access both GEO and LEO networks, which may involve additional infrastructure investment and coordination. However, the partnership with Intelsat and OneWeb aims to streamline this process, providing GCI with a comprehensive solution to meet the diverse connectivity needs of Alaskan customers.

Additionally, the integration of LEO services into GCI’s existing infrastructure requires careful planning to ensure seamless operation and to maximize the benefits of the multi-orbit approach. Despite these challenges, the collaboration represents a significant step forward in enhancing broadband connectivity across Alaska.

Future Prospects

The collaboration between Intelsat, OneWeb, and GCI signifies a strategic advancement in satellite connectivity for Alaska. Looking ahead, this partnership is poised to enhance broadband services across the state, particularly in remote and underserved regions. The integration of LEO services is expected to reduce network latency and provide enhanced redundancy, offering a competitive advantage over LEO-only providers like Starlink for government and enterprise customers with mission-critical needs.

As OneWeb nears global service availability, the demand for multi-orbit connectivity is anticipated to increase across various sectors, including land and air mobility. Intelsat’s spokesperson noted that the operator sees increasing demand for multi-orbit connectivity across nearly all its business units as OneWeb approaches global service.

Additionally, Intelsat has announced plans to enable multi-orbit connectivity across Alaska Airlines’ entire fleet by 2026, further expanding the reach and impact of this partnership.

Conclusion

The expanded partnership between Intelsat, OneWeb, and GCI marks a significant milestone in enhancing satellite broadband connectivity throughout Alaska. By integrating geostationary and low Earth orbit satellites, this collaboration aims to provide reliable, high-speed internet services to government agencies, businesses, and residents, particularly in remote and underserved areas. As the service evolves, it holds the potential to bridge the digital divide, fostering economic growth and improving quality of life across the state.