GCI, Alaska’s largest telecommunications company and Teck Red Dog operations, one of the world’s largest zinc producers, have set up an agreement that will bring high-speed broadband internet service to Red Dog Operations and the community of Noatak.
“Red Dog is a worldclass mining operation that requires worldclass internet service and this partnership is a win/win for GCI, Red Dog and the residents of Noatak,” said Martin Cary, GCI’s senior vice president of business services. “Our team understands the challenges of building infrastructure and providing service to more than 100 miles (160 km) north of the Arctic Circle. In addition to the 72 rural communities already served by TERRA, GCI is expanding TERRA to 10 more rural communities in 2016. When Red Dog and Noatak are complete, GCI’s TERRA network will deliver high-speed internet to a total of 84 rural Alaska locations.”
“This partnership will help connect many more Northwest Arctic residents with important online services, while also providing business benefits to Teck Red Dog Operations and mine employees,” said Henri Letient, General Manager, Teck Red Dog Operations. “Bringing high speed internet connection to Noatak is a strong example of the local benefits generated by Red Dog, and of our commitment to helping support local residents and communities.”
“The mining sector is a cornerstone of Alaska’s resource development economy and with more than 450 employees, Red Dog mine is a major employer in the region and in the state. Red Dog is also leading the way in workforce development through the use of Registered Apprenticeship, creating career paths for Alaskans in the region,” said Heidi Drygas, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development. “As Alaskans work to diversify our economy, we need to make sure that businesses have the tools and access they need to stay competitive.
The partnership announcement is part of a broader GCI strategy to connect Arctic communities to high-speed internet. In June, GCI announced plans to expand its Terrestrial for Every Rural Region in Alaska (TERRA) network to include 10 new communities in the Northwest Arctic Borough and Norton Sound region. This expansion will result in high-speed, data rich broadband service for schools and clinics in Buckland, Kiana, Noorvik, Selawik, Koyuk, Elim, Golovin, White Mountain, Stebbins and St. Michael.