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GCI agrees to extended capacity on Intelsat fleet for service

Alaska’s largest telecoms provider to continue supporting mission-critical applications including telemedicine, distance learningrn

Intelsat  has announced that General Communication Inc, the largest telecommunications company in Alaska, has signed a long-term agreement for extended C- and Ku-band capacity on Intelsat’s Horizons 1 and Galaxy 18 satellites.

GCI uses Intelsat’s capacity for infrastructure to provide telephony, high-speed internet and video services to customers across Alaska. In particular, the agreement enables GCI to support broadband services to schools and medical clinics, as well as telemedicine applications for hospitals that are located in underserved areas of Alaska.

“We continue to rely on Intelsat for seamless, reliable and robust coverage across Alaska, a region that presents very complicated topographic and climatic challenges,” says Jimmy Sipes, GCI Vice-President of Network Services and Chief Engineer. “Intelsat enables GCI to help close the digital divide in Alaska, bringing much-needed connectivity that supports mission-critical applications in remote communities.”

Mark Rasmussen, Intelsat RVP of North America Sales, adds: “GCI understands the importance of fully optimising its technology for extremely advanced, high modulation solutions. GCI makes an important difference in providing life-line communication services to Alaskan consumers in areas where there would not have been any other options.”