ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Sept. 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- GCI's
(NASDAQ:GNCMA) TERRA broadband network is being honored by the
National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors
(NATOA) as the 2013 Community Broadband Wireless Network of the
Year. In particular, TERRA is being recognized for extending
broadband to some of the most remote areas of Alaska and providing affordable service to
some of the state's least served regions and citizens.
This distinction is part of NATOA's Community Broadband Awards,
a series of honors that spotlights exceptional leaders and
innovative programs that champion community interests and broadband
deployment in local communities nationwide. The award will be made
at the Awards Luncheon at NATOA's Annual Conference in Orlando, Fla. on September 18.
"GCI's TERRA project has distinguished itself in its
extraordinary efforts, achievements and innovation in the rural
communities of Alaska, displaying
how broadband can revolutionize communities with improved access to
healthcare, education and business services that improve overall
quality of life," NATOA President Joanne
Hovis said.
Historically, Alaskans have relied on bandwidth constrained and
high-latency satellite connections to receive their communications
services (e.g. phone, television and Internet). In 2009, GCI and
its wholly owned subsidiary, United Utilities, Inc. (UUI),
envisioned taking Alaska off
satellite and building a next-generation communications network
that would provide all Alaskans with equitable access to
low-latency broadband service. With this level of broadband,
Alaskans will be able to participate in the global economy and have
access to telemedicine and distance learning that drastically help
improve quality of life. With TERRA, GCI is delivering on this
vision in 69 communities in Western
Alaska, with a population of more than 32,000.
residents.
TERRA Southwest, completed in 2012, brought 400 miles of new
fiber optic cable between Homer
and Levelock, and 13 new microwave
towers connecting Levelock to
Bethel, providing the first
terrestrial broadband network and Internet to homes in 65
communities in Southwest Alaska.
TERRA Northwest will make broadband available to households and
businesses in Northwest Alaska
through a direct, land-based connection to Anchorage, the global fiber optic backbone and
the Internet. Phase 1 was completed in 2012, connecting
Grayling to Unalakleet and Unalakleet to Shaktoolik. Phase 2, to connect Shaktoolik to Nome, is underway and expected to be completed
this year. Phase 3, extending the network to Kotzebue, will be completed January 2015.
"GCI's network of voice, video and broadband services now
reaches 80 percent of Alaska
households," GCI president and CEO Ron
Duncan said. "GCI believes in connecting with and making a
lasting impact in the communities it serves. These investments
directly support programs and education that preserve Alaska's rich culture. We are honored to be
recognized for this work by such a prestigious national
organization."
TERRA represents the significant investment GCI has made to
improve the future of rural Alaska. Once Phase 3 is completed in 2014, GCI
will have invested more than $200
million to bring terrestrial broadband services to rural
Alaska, supported by over
$50 million in grant funding awarded
by the Rural Utilities Service and the Regulatory Commission of
Alaska.
About GCI
GCI is the largest telecommunications
company in Alaska. The company's
cable plant, which provides voice, video, and broadband data
services, passes 80 percent of Alaska households. GCI operates Alaska's most extensive terrestrial/subsea
fiber optic network, which connects not only Anchorage but also Fairbanks, and Juneau/Southeast to the lower 48 states with a
diversely routed, protected fiber network. The company's satellite
network provides communications services to small towns and
villages throughout rural Alaska.
GCI is in the process of constructing Alaska's first truly statewide mobile wireless
network, which will seamlessly link urban and rural Alaska for the first time in the state's
history. More information about the company can be found at
www.gci.com.
About NATOA
NATOA is a national trade association
representing local government jurisdictions and consortiums,
including elected and appointed officials and staff, who oversee
communications policies and services in local governments
throughout the country. For more information on the award
recipients, the NATOA Community Broadband Awards, and NATOA's
efforts to bring about a national broadband strategy that
recognizes the vital and integral role of local governments, visit
www.natoa.org.
SOURCE GCI