ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Nov. 26, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- GCI
(NASDAQ:GNCMA) today announced the commercial launch of TERRA
service in the Northwest Arctic Borough. TERRA is delivering, for
the first time, terrestrial broadband service to Kotzebue, 33 miles north of the Arctic
Circle. This service will dramatically improve online health,
education and government services as well as the broadband data
experience for residential and business users. With the
launch of TERRA, GCI has also rolled out 3G mobile wireless
services for the residents of Kotzebue.
TERRA is GCI's terrestrial broadband network serving the rural
communities of western Alaska.
Terrestrial broadband provides lower latency and allows for
streaming of rich media and the ability to leverage video
conferencing, a critical tool for healthcare and education. Using
video conferencing, communities like Kotzebue have access to specialty doctors and
educators that are not readily available in the community. The
lower latency enables significantly fewer delays in transferring
data, allowing for better real-time communication.
The launch of 3G wireless service will allow for substantially
higher mobile data speeds, providing customers faster web browsing,
audio and video streaming, and more. The launch of 3G services will
occur in Nome and Unalakleet later this year.
Reaching remote communities in the Arctic, like Kotzebue, is no small feat. Alaska is home to some of the most challenging
geography in North America, along
with unpredictable and harsh weather conditions. GCI is partnering
with organizations, such as STG Incorporated and Ericsson Inc., to
construct the infrastructure needed to deliver terrestrial
broadband Internet.
"Once again, GCI has used its proven Arctic telecommunications
expertise to deliver transformative services to a rural Arctic
regional hub," said Greg Chapados,
GCI's chief operating officer. "We plan to expand TERRA's footprint
in northwest Alaska and along the
Yukon with the ultimate goal of
ringing the network. We are grateful for the support of the
communities served by TERRA and look forward to watching them grow
using the tools that modern communications services can
provide."
Since its inception in 2010, TERRA has grown to deliver
terrestrial broadband services to 72 communities and more than
43,000 residents. TERRA won the 2013 NATOA (National
Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors) Community
Broadband Wireless Network of the Year award and the 2014
Engineering News Record (ENR) Best Projects Regional Award.
About GCI
GCI is the largest Alaska-based and operated integrated
telecommunications provider offering voice, data and video services
statewide. Learn more about GCI at www.gci.com/about.
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gci-terra-network-connects-kotzebue-to-the-world-300001728.html
SOURCE GCI
