ANCHORAGE, ALASKA -- Pacific Dataport and Microcom are proud to announce they have installed the first OneWeb low-earth-orbit (LEO) user terminal in Alaska to deliver broadband to the Akiak Native Community. This is the culmination of many months of planning and the FCC’s recent granting of the 2.5 GHz spectrum to tribes across America. The Akiak Native Community, a federally recognized Indian Tribe, is working with both Pacific Dataport and Microcom located in Anchorage, Alaska to deploy their wireless broadband network.
Pacific Dataport will be supplying the OneWeb LEO community user terminal and backhaul that enable high-speed broadband connectivity. The community’s user terminal communicates with the satellites overhead and connects to the community-wide distribution system, which is Cambium technology provided by Microcom. The broadband signal will travel up a tower where access points will spread the signal throughout the community. Each home will have a small antenna (subscriber module) affixed outside and that device sends/receives the signal to/from the tower. From there it travels inside the home to a Wi-Fi router.
Shawn Fitzpatrick, Vice President of Engineering at Pacific Dataport said, “I am thrilled to announce the first testing of the OneWeb network connection was established between the user terminal in Akiak and OneWeb satellites, completing the connection to the Internet. Beta testing will continue as new hardware and software are perfected. We are dedicated to seeing broadband reach all of Alaska and look forward to leveraging OneWeb’s network to help make vital connectivity possible in Akiak and communities across the state.”
“Akiak is the first LEO village in the United States and we are delivering affordable broadband internet to 100% of our homes and businesses because we have strong and committed Tribal leaders and an outstanding project team,” said Kevin Hamer, President and CEO of Akiak Technology, LLC. “As core members of our team, Pacific Dataport Inc. and Microcom provided the OneWeb LEO solution and support Akiak Technology LLC needed to finally start closing the digital divide for our unserved Tribal communities in SW Alaska.”
This capacity will allow residents to have access to very fast broadband and enables opportunities for tele-health, education, commerce and entertainment. Residents will be able to cruise the Internet, stream television and music, conduct meetings on two-way video software and game.
Pacific Dataport and Microcom are proud to partner with Alaska Tribal Broadband (ATB), the Akiak Native Community, and Akiak Technology to help strengthen tribal sovereignty and expand affordable broadband to rural Alaska.
About Pacific Dataport Inc. – Pacific Dataport Inc. (PDI) is a satellite middle mile provider headquartered in Anchorage, Alaska. PDI was founded “by Alaskans, for Alaskans” to enable Internet access for everyone, everywhere in Alaska. PDI is focused on providing affordable middle mile and last mile broadband using the newest satellite technology from the Aurora and OneWeb Networks. PDI clients include telecoms (wired & wireless), non-profits, hospitals, health clinics, schools, libraries, governments (Tribal, local, state & federal) and Alaska Native Corporations, Villages, Tribes, and consortiums. www.pacificdataport.com
About Microcom – Microcom is a direct-to-consumer broadband provider and Cambium equipment dealer located in Anchorage, Alaska. Microcom offers the design, sales, installation and maintenance of Cambium 2.5 GHz and unlicensed WISP (wireless internet service provider) systems throughout Alaska. These systems work best for Alaska Native communities where a Tribal organization is bringing broadband to their community. Serving Alaska, especially rural communities for more than 37 years, Microcom is fully staffed across the state. www.microcom.tv
About Akiak Technology, LLC – Akiak Technology is an IT consulting company that accelerates the pace of digital IT transformation in government. As a purpose driven company, it uses revenues to help build new lives and a brighter economic future for the indigenous people in the remote village of Akiak, Alaska. It is a subsidiary of Akiak Holdings, LLC, a wholly owned tribal business of the Akiak Native Community. Akiak Technology is an SBA 8(a) certified tribal-owned business located in Alexandria, VA. www.akiaktechnology.com
Media Contacts
Pacific Dataport Inc.
Shawn Williams
907-440-1185
Microcom
Alexander Schumann
907-229-9993
Akiak Technology, LLC
Kevin Hamer
703-624-8293
