GCI announces trailblazing satellite deal to expand its capacity

Rhea-AI Summary

GCI has announced a transformative $150 million partnership with Intelsat to enhance its satellite capacity. This collaboration aims to increase GCI's geosynchronous satellite capacity, addressing the growing connectivity needs in rural Alaska. The partnership will provide access to expanded C-band, Ku-band, and new Ka-band services, nearly quadrupling GCI's satellite capacity. GCI emphasizes its commitment to rural communities and will integrate future technologies, including low earth orbit satellites, ensuring a robust network for their customers.

Positive

• Partnership with Intelsat expands satellite capacity, nearly quadrupling it.
• Access to C-band, Ku-band, and new Ka-band services enhances service offerings.
• GCI's commitment to rural communities strengthens its market position.

Negative

• None.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska, July 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, GCI announced a trailblazing $150 million partnership with Intelsat, a global leader in satellite service. The partnership will dramatically expand GCI's geosynchronous (GEO) satellite capacity to meet growing demand for communications services in rural communities across Alaska. The deal not only provides GCI continued access to C-band and Ku-band capacity, which is already part of GCI's satellite service portfolio, it also provides new access to statewide Ka-band capacity.

"Today's announcement is another example of GCI's continued commitment to our rural customers and our willingness to make the investment necessary to serve small, remote communities across the state," said GCI CEO Ron Duncan. "Some people have expressed concern that Alaska is running out of GEO satellite capacity — well, that's no longer an issue. This deal will nearly quadruple our available capacity. GCI intends to remain the leader in connectivity in rural Alaska. The Intelsat partnership is part of a much broader rural connectivity strategy that includes our AU-Aleutians Fiber Project." 

GCI, Alaska's largest telecommunications company, has delivered satellite-based connectivity for 35 years and has the largest footprint of satellite-delivered data, video and voice services in the state. The new, long-term deal ensures GCI will meet the growing demands of rural customers including regional tribal health care providers, school districts, government agencies, and businesses.

"What sets GCI's satellite service apart is that we manage the network from end to end, combining Intelsat's satellite capacity with GCI's satellite engineering and remote logistics know-how," said GCI Senior VP of Corporate Development Billy Wailand. "That approach enables us to be responsive to our customers and their evolving needs, delivering a high-value service and a quality user experience for our customers. Our networks are resilient, safe, secure and reliable."

Intelsat is a pioneer in satellite communication with an unmatched fleet of both wideband and high-throughput satellites that deliver service to a diverse portfolio of clients. Intelsat is the largest provider of satellite communications for the U.S. military and recently acquired the inflight commercial aviation service Gogo. More than 100 million households rely on Intelsat for their TV service. For the new partnership, Intelsat will supply a high-throughput, multi-satellite solution over a new and enhanced managed earth station platform and a tri-band (C, Ku, and Ka) network that will cover the entire state of Alaska.

"We're thrilled to partner with a leading global satellite provider with a proven track record and a vision for the future," said Wailand.

Delivering service in rural Alaska requires a comprehensive approach and a willingness to use every tool in the toolkit. For GCI, that toolkit includes fiber, microwave, GEO satellites like those operated by Intelsat, and eventually low earth orbit (LEO) satellites. GCI has been actively engaged in talks with LEO providers including SpaceX, OneWeb, and Telesat. 

"We are confident that LEOs will become an important part of GCI's toolkit over time," said Wailand. "But before we begin encouraging some of our customers to consider a move to LEO satellites, we need to be confident in their performance and ability to meet our customers' current and future demands. Our partnership with Intelsat provides GCI and our customers with an immediate solution that addresses capacity needs today, as well as the ability to integrate future technologies like LEOs when they become ready."

"At the end of the day, it's about delivering value and reliable service to our customers, and we couldn't have found a better, more capable partner than Intelsat," said Wailand.

About GCI
Headquartered in Alaska, GCI provides data, mobile, video, voice and managed services to consumer, business, government, and carrier customers throughout Alaska, serving more than 200 communities. The company has invested more than $3 billion in its Alaska network and facilities over the past 40 years and recently launched true standards-based 5G NR service in Anchorage, now the nation's northernmost 5G service area. Learn more about GCI at www.gci.com. GCI is a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Broadband Corporation (Nasdaq: LBRDA, LBRDK, LBRDP). Learn more about Liberty Broadband at http://www.libertybroadband.com.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gci-announces-trailblazing-satellite-deal-to-expand-its-capacity-301331989.html

SOURCE GCI

FAQ

What is the significance of GCI's partnership with Intelsat announced on July 12, 2021?

The $150 million partnership enhances GCI's satellite capacity, crucial for providing services in rural Alaska.

How much has GCI invested in its partnership with Intelsat?

GCI has formed a partnership valued at $150 million with Intelsat.

What satellite services will GCI gain from its deal with Intelsat?

GCI will gain access to C-band, Ku-band, and new Ka-band satellite services.

How will the partnership with Intelsat affect GCI's capacity in Alaska?

The partnership will nearly quadruple GCI's satellite capacity, improving connectivity for rural customers.

What future technologies does GCI plan to integrate after partnering with Intelsat?

GCI plans to integrate low earth orbit (LEO) satellites when they are ready for deployment.