On May 26, MTA Fiber Holdings, a subsidiary of MTA (Palmer, Alaska), announced its completion of the first all-terrestrial fiber network connecting Alaska to the contiguous United States.
The virtual announcement included remarks from MTA Chief Executive Officer Michael Burke, along with several government officials, including Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) and Governor Mike Dunleavy. Burke noted, “this is the type of infrastructure investment that the state really needs and will help with our economy long into the future as technology continues to develop.”
The project, called AlCan ONE (Alaska Canada Overland Network) extends almost 300 miles from the small city of North Pole, Alaska, to the Canadian border before connecting with Canadian carriers, expanding MTA’s existing network through Canada to hubs in the lower 48 states.
MTA completed the project in just over a year.
Sullivan noted the project is vital to getting and keeping Alaskans connected, especially during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.
“This project is not only about today’s challenges it is about tomorrow’s opportunities," Sullivan said. "We will get through this pandemic stronger and more resilient because of projects like this.”
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) also sent letters remarking on the considerable impact projects like AlCan ONE will have for Alaskans.
MTA released a video to learn more about the AlCan ONE project and the opportunities it will provide, which can be viewed here.