ASTAC Reaches Major Milestones on North Slope Fiber Expansion Projects
Progress on Anaktuvuk Pass and Nuiqsut projects moves ASTAC closer to expanding fiber connectivity across the North Slope
Anaktuvuk Pass, Alaska – Arctic Slope Telephone Association Cooperative (ASTAC) is moving closer to construction on two major fiber projects across the North Slope.
The Anaktuvuk Pass (AKP) and Nuiqsut Fiber projects include nearly 300 miles of planned fiber and more than $55 million in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Utilities Service (RUS) ReConnect Program. Recent progress in engineering, fieldwork, and federal approvals is helping move both projects toward the next stages of development.
“These projects are a huge next step for the future of our North Slope communities,” said Marietta Aiken, ASTAC Board President. “There is an incredible amount of work that goes into bringing fiber to homes as remote as ours, and it’s exciting to see that work moving forward. As a member-owned cooperative, we’re proud to continue investing in reliable connectivity that will serve our members and communities for years to come.”
ASTAC recently completed a helicopter field survey for the Anaktuvuk Pass Fiber Project, part of the planning and engineering for a 90-mile fiber route connecting AKP to ASTAC’s fiber network. Working with engineering partner Vantage Point Solutions (VPS), the project team evaluated the proposed route, major river and drainage crossings, terrain conditions, and other areas that could affect construction.
The helicopter field survey gave the team a chance to check previous planning and engineering firsthand and identify any adjustments that may be needed before construction. That information will now be used to update project mapping, crossing designs, and construction plans.
The Anaktuvuk Pass Fiber Project is supported by a $30.97 million award from the USDA RUS ReConnect award that ASTAC received in 2022 to expand fiber broadband connectivity to some of the most remote areas of the state.
ASTAC has also completed an important federal requirement for the Nuiqsut Fiber Project, completing the environmental review process and receiving authorization for the release of grant funding on July 2nd, 2026.
The environmental review was conducted under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and USDA Rural Development. The review looked at the proposed route, construction methods, and potential impacts to the surrounding environment and cultural resources, including wildlife, permafrost, wetlands, waterways, and subsistence activities.
Following the review, USDA RUS issued a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), allowing the Nuiqsut project to move forward without a more extensive Environmental Impact Statement. USDA RUS also released the project’s $25 million in ReConnect grant funding, meaning ASTAC can now move from environmental review and planning, toward procurement and construction.
The Nuiqsut Fiber Project will include the installation of new fiber optic cables, network infrastructure upgrades, with the goal of bringing affordable broadband services to homes and businesses in Nuiqsut.
While these fiber projects are at different stages, both are moving forward and are part of ASTAC’s ongoing investment in a stronger, more reliable broadband network across the North Slope.
“These projects are about more than the miles of fiber we put in the ground,” said Rob Sharpe, ASTAC CEO. “They’re about making sure our communities have infrastructure they can rely on for decades to come. There’s still a lot of work ahead, but these milestones are important steps toward getting these projects built and bringing better connectivity to the communities we serve.”
ASTAC would like to thank the USDA Rural Utilities Service, our project partners, and all of the North Slope region for their continued support as these projects move forward. We appreciate the cooperation and patience of our members and communities as we work together to bring faster, more reliable connectivity to everyone.
About ASTAC
ASTAC provides Fiber Broadband Ethernet and Internet, LTE wireless as well as local and long-distance services across the North Slope. Additionally, ASTAC offers a Nomadic WAN and Internet service using the North Slope’s only private LTE network covering the oil fields. For more information, visit www.astac.net.
