Aleutian Broadband Scoping Study Prepared for The Southwest Alaska Municipal Conference (SWAMC) March 2018 3940 Arctic Blvd., Suite 102 Anchorage, Alaska 99503 Phone: (907) 677-2601 Fax: (907) 677-2605 www.meridianak.com E-mail: [email protected] Preparers Erik Fredeen Shawn Fitzpatrick Cyrinda Hoffman Johnathon Storter James Burkhart Cover Photos: 1. SEAFAST Project, Photo by Meridian Management 2. TERRA-Southwest Project, Photo by Meridian Management 3. TERRA- Southwest Project, Photo by Meridian Management 4. Satellite Earth Station, Photo by GCI Contents Abbreviations ................................................................................................................................................ v Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................ ES-1 1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Background and Goals of this Report ........................................................................................... 1 1.2 Study Area .................................................................................................................................... 2 1.3 Demographics ............................................................................................................................... 2 1.3.1 Existing Population ............................................................................................................... 2 1.3.2 Population Forecast ............................................................................................................... 3 2 Existing Technology & Infrastructure .................................................................................................. 4 2.1 Existing Demand ........................................................................................................................... 4 2.1.1 Background ........................................................................................................................... 4 2.1.2 Existing Infrastructure ........................................................................................................... 4 2.1.3 Consumer Internet ............................................................................................................... 10 2.1.4 Business/Agency Internet ................................................................................................... 11 2.1.5 Schools and Libraries .......................................................................................................... 11 2.1.6 Health Care & Telemedicine ............................................................................................... 11 2.2 Existing Middle-Mile Technologies ........................................................................................... 11 2.2.1 Satellite ............................................................................................................................... 12 2.2.1.1 Impacts of Distance in Data Communications ................................................................ 12 2.2.1.2 Alaska Communications Satellite ................................................................................... 13 2.2.1.3 AT&T Alascom Satellite ................................................................................................ 14 2.2.1.4 GCI Satellite .................................................................................................................... 15 2.2.2 Fiber .................................................................................................................................... 16 2.2.3 Microwave .......................................................................................................................... 16 2.3 Existing Last-Mile Technologies ................................................................................................ 17 2.3.1 DSL ..................................................................................................................................... 17 2.3.2 Cable Modem ...................................................................................................................... 18 2.3.3 WISP (Wi-Fi) ...................................................................................................................... 18 2.3.4 Fiber to the Home ............................................................................................................... 18 2.3.5 3G/4G and LTE ................................................................................................................... 19 2.3.6 Satellite Direct-to-Consumer .............................................................................................. 19 3 Future Technology & Infrastructure ................................................................................................... 20 3.1 Future Demand ............................................................................................................................ 20 3.2 Future Middle-Mile ..................................................................................................................... 20 3.2.1 Subsea Fiber ........................................................................................................................ 22 3.2.1.1 GCI TERRA-Aleutian Fiber Project .............................................................................. 22 i 3.2.1.2 Quintillion Networks....................................................................................................... 23 3.2.2 Satellite Broadband Constellations ..................................................................................... 25 3.2.2.1 SpaceX ............................................................................................................................ 26 3.2.2.2 OneWeb .......................................................................................................................... 26 3.2.3 High Throughput Satellites ................................................................................................. 28 3.2.3.1 Pacific Dataport Inc. - Aurora IV HTS Satellite ............................................................. 28 3.2.4 DRS ..................................................................................................................................... 30 3.2.5 FirstNet ............................................................................................................................... 30 3.2.6 OptimERA .......................................................................................................................... 32 3.2.6.1 OptimERA Wi-Fi ............................................................................................................ 32 3.2.6.2 OptimERA ChainLINK (Microwave) ............................................................................. 32 3.3 Future Last-Mile Technologies ................................................................................................... 33 3.3.1 5G Fixed Wireless ............................................................................................................... 33 3.3.2 TV White Space .................................................................................................................. 34 4 Funding Programs ............................................................................................................................... 36 4.1 Federal Programs ........................................................................................................................ 36 4.1.1 FCC ..................................................................................................................................... 36 4.1.1.1 National Broadband Plan ................................................................................................ 36 4.1.1.2 Tribal Mobility Fund ....................................................................................................... 36 4.1.1.3 Connect America Fund – Alaska Plan ............................................................................ 37 4.1.2 U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Utilities Service .................................................... 38 4.1.2.1 USDA Community Connect Grants ................................................................................ 38 4.1.2.2 USDA Telecommunications Infrastructure Loans & Loan Guarantees .......................... 38 4.1.2.3 USDA Farm Bill - Broadband Loans & Loan Guarantees .............................................. 39 4.1.2.4 USDA Distance Learning & Telemedicine Grants ......................................................... 39 4.1.3 Universal Service Administrative Company ....................................................................... 40 4.1.3.1 Schools and Libraries (E-Rate) Program ........................................................................ 40 4.1.3.2 2014 E-Rate Modernization Order .................................................................................. 42 4.1.3.3 Rural Health Care Program ............................................................................................. 44 4.1.3.4 Lifeline ............................................................................................................................ 44 4.1.3.5 High Cost Program