AlCan ONE fiber network deployment completed

May 28, 2020
The fiber network provides the first all-terrestrial route that connects Alaska to the contiguous United States and beyond, MTA Fiber Holdings asserts.

MTA Fiber Holdings, a wholly owned subsidiary of telecom co-operative MTA, says it has completed the construction and begun operation of the Alaska Canada Overland Network (AlCan ONE). The fiber network provides the first all-terrestrial route that connects Alaska to the contiguous United States and beyond, MTA Fiber Holdings asserts.

MTA Fiber Holdings launched construction of AlCan ONE last year (see “MTA Fiber Holdings announces plans for AlCan ONE Alaskan terrestrial fiber network” and "MTA Fiber Holdings taps Ciena for AlCan ONE terrestrial fiber network"). It will provide MTA members and other Alaskan entities with fiber-optic connectivity “to any point in the contiguous United States,” in the words of a press release. The route begins from North Pole, AK, to the Canadian border almost 300 miles away. There it connects with Canadian carriers, extending MTA’s existing network through that country and on the U.S. The network supports wavelengths of as much as 100 Gbps, with the ability to add greater transmission capabilities as needs warrant.

“After decades of talk about a terrestrial fiber optic path out of Alaska, our whole organization is proud to have accomplished this historic feat safely and efficiently,” said Michael Burke, CEO of MTA. “Especially during this pandemic, connection via technology is absolutely vital, and whatever short-term capacity forecast that we had when we began this project a year ago has been blown out of the water due to the COVID-19 crisis. We don’t know what the new normal is going to look like, but the AlCan ONE network lays the groundwork to meet the needs for today, while helping us plant the seeds to meet future demand and help Alaska grow.”

“The completion of this line is not just a win for MTA – it is a win for all of the people and businesses of Alaska,” added Francis LaChapelle, vice president of wholesale and carrier relations. “We’re very grateful for all of the carriers, communities, businesses and legislators who helped make this possible, and we’re confident that the benefits of this highly successful project will be felt by all. We’re looking forward to developing partnerships with telecommunications organizations across the state to maximize the value of AlCan One for all Alaskans.”

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About the Author

Stephen Hardy | Editorial Director and Associate Publisher, Lightwave

Stephen Hardy is editorial director and associate publisher of Lightwave and Broadband Technology Report, part of the Lighting & Technology Group at Endeavor Business Media. Stephen is responsible for establishing and executing editorial strategy across the both brands’ websites, email newsletters, events, and other information products. He has covered the fiber-optics space for more than 20 years, and communications and technology for more than 35 years. During his tenure, Lightwave has received awards from Folio: and the American Society of Business Press Editors (ASBPE) for editorial excellence. Prior to joining Lightwave in 1997, Stephen worked for Telecommunications magazine and the Journal of Electronic Defense.

Stephen has moderated panels at numerous events, including the Optica Executive Forum, ECOC, and SCTE Cable-Tec Expo. He also is program director for the Lightwave Innovation Reviews and the Diamond Technology Reviews.

He has written numerous articles in all aspects of optical communications and fiber-optic networks, including fiber to the home (FTTH), PON, optical components, DWDM, fiber cables, packet optical transport, optical transceivers, lasers, fiber optic testing, and more.

You can connect with Stephen on LinkedIn as well as Twitter.

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