AP&T Wireless (APTW), a subsidiary of Alaska Power & Telephone (OTC: APTL), says that the marine route survey for the SEALink submarine cable project has begun. The SEALink project will see the deployment of a 214-mile submarine fiber cable from Prince of Wales Island to Juneau, with an overland crossing on Mitkof Island through the community of Petersburg. APTW will supplement the undersea link with terrestrial network builds in Coffman Cove and Kasaan, two communities that currently lack broadband service.
TerraSond of Alaska will conduct the marine survey via the 105-foot Qualifier 105. The vessel will spend approximately 20 days surveying the seafloor between Coffman Cove and south Mitkoff Island, and Petersburg and Juneau. The data collection should finish this August, after which APTW will select what it considers the optimal route for the submarine cable.
The SEALink project is funded through a combination of private investment from APTW and USDA Rural Utility Service ReConnect grant funds. APTW expects to construct the terrestrial networks in Coffman Cove and Kasaan in 2022, with submarine cable installations scheduled to occur in 2023. That said, while the company has begun the order of materials that require long lead times, the schedule will ultimately depend upon the timing of permitting processes and environmental approval processes managed by USDA, APTW notes.
“The marine route survey is a significant milestone for the SEALink project,” commented Alaska Power & Telephone President and CEO Mike Garrett. “We are honored to be in a position to apply USDA funds for the benefit of rural southeast Alaska, and thankful for all of the tribal and community support for this project. Rural broadband access creates tremendous stakeholder value - opportunity that helps all businesses and families succeed in reaching their goals, together.”
“In a remote state like Alaska, the need for broadband is far reaching. It is critical to connect communities, supporting telemedicine and tele-education, and so much more,” added Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski. “The SEALink project is an exciting venture that will bring a much-needed boost to communities in Southeast Alaska. I’m happy to see the broad support for this project—made possible through public and private partnerships—and look forward to following its progress to ultimate completion.”