Business
GCI announces trailblazing satellite deal to expand its capacity
Partnership with global provider Intelsat will provide C, Ku and Ka tri-band network that will cover the entire state of Alaska ANCHORAGE, Alaska, July 12,
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[{"type":"text","content":"Partnership with global provider Intelsat will provide C, Ku and Ka tri-band network that will cover the entire state of Alaska\n\n\nANCHORAGE, Alaska, July 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, GCI announced a trailblazing $150 million partnership with Intelsat, a global leader in satellite service. The partnership will dramatically expand GCI's geosynchronous (GEO) satellite capacity to meet growing demand for communications services in rural communities across Alaska. The deal not only provides GCI continued access to C-band and Ku-band capacity, which is already part of GCI's satellite service portfolio, it also provides new access to statewide Ka-band capacity. \n\"Today's announcement is another example of GCI's continued commitment to our rural customers and our willingness to make the investment necessary to serve small, remote communities across the state,\" said GCI CEO Ron Duncan. \"Some people have expressed concern that Alaska is running out of GEO satellite capacity — well, that's no longer an issue. This deal will nearly quadruple our available capacity. GCI intends to remain the leader in connectivity in rural Alaska. The Intelsat partnership is part of a much broader rural connectivity strategy that includes our AU-Aleutians Fiber Project.\" \nGCI, Alaska's largest telecommunications company, has delivered satellite-based connectivity for 35 years and has the largest footprint of satellite-delivered data, video and voice services in the state. The new, long-term deal ensures GCI will meet the growing demands of rural customers including regional tribal health care providers, school districts, government agencies, and businesses. \n\"What sets GCI's satellite service apart is that we manage the network from end to end, combining Intelsat's satellite capacity with GCI's satellite engineering and remote logistics know-how,\" said GCI Senior VP of Corporate Development Billy Wailand. \"That approach enables us to be responsive to our customers and their evolving needs, delivering a high-value service and a quality user experience for our customers. Our networks are resilient, safe, secure and reliable.\" \nIntelsat is a pioneer in satellite communication with an unmatched fleet of both wideband and high-throughput satellites that deliver service to a diverse portfolio of clients. Intelsat is the largest provider of satell...