With the launch of the FCC’s special 2.5GHz tribal priority window in 2020, more spectrum is in play in Alaska than ever before. With access to spectrum, Tribes and villages across the state are exploring the possibility of becoming their own local internet service provider. At GCI, we understand that connecting Alaskans is a compelling proposition. GCI has launched multiple generations of telecommunications technology in 240 Alaska communities, investing billions of dollars along the way. But we still get excited every time we find a way to bring new or faster internet service to a hard-to-reach community.
That experience has taught us a thing or two about serving rural Alaska. We know how hard it is to create a viable telecom business from scratch, so we thought we’d share a few lessons we’ve learned over the years including the importance of partnering with other telecommunications providers and local stakeholders to deliver service. Alaska is a big state and it will take all our combined efforts to bridge the digital divide and make sure all Alaskans are connected.
It’s not possible to cover all connectivity project considerations in a single blog post. The bottom line, though, is that spectrum is only one piece of the puzzle. Putting any spectrum to work, including the 2.5 GHz band, requires investment and planning.
Understand the need. First, be sure to understand the connectivity needs in your community. That sounds simple. After all, everybody wants more data and faster speed for their home internet and for their mobile devices. But to build a sustainable broadband network, you need to understand your customers’ needs in a much more detailed way. Understanding those needs and what the community expects will determine coverage requirements, the types of technology you need to deploy, and the level of investment you’ll need to make. Be sure to consider the locations of critical infrastructure like schools, health clinics, community centers, libraries and airports when making those decisions.
Spend time on a detailed design phase. Once the community’s needs are fully analyzed, network design can begin. This is the stage of the project where the engineers shine by solving tricky design problems with creative solutions. A strong, comprehensive network design will include route selection, tower design, equipment selection, architecting communications shelters, finding or deploying good backhaul options, determining how (or if) you’re going to deliver cellular service, and more.
Location, location, location. Using wireless spectrum for local connectivity usually requires building or leasing space on towers – often 60 feet or taller – so your wireless equipment can be mounted high enough to deliver adequate coverage to everyone. The appropriate tower location should be identified based on the intended coverage area, characteristics of the spectrum, and potential terrain challenges and obstacles.
Every tower is unique. Every tower is unique and must be designed based on the intended technology solution, anticipated weight load, coverage area and weather conditions. Construction costs for each tower can vary greatly, depending on height, location, sub-surface conditions and area weather. In rural areas especially, building and operating towers is an expensive endeavor. It often requires leasing a heavy-lift helicopter with highly trained crews who spend weeks at a time in the field.
Plan for tower TLC. Because we’re in Alaska, be sure to address winter icing. Each tower also needs reliable power and, in most cases, a back-up power source to ensure network reliability. This includes diesel generators that will need to be refueled annually, possibly by a specialized helicopter depending on your location. Most towers also require a license from the FAA and must adhere to the agency’s regulations and lighting specifications. Each tower also requires a communications shelter, which is small building at the base, roughly the size of a shipping container, to house communications gear and protect the power source. The shelter should also be designed to safely house equipment and must be heated and cooled.
Choose your equipment wisely. Once the tower design and engineering are complete, it’s time to determine which equipment will deliver the best connectivity to the user. The 2.5GHz spectrum that Tribes, Alaska Native Villages and Tribal consortiums acquired from the FCC can be a very effective mid-band spectrum option when deploying certain communications solutions to people’s homes and businesses. In the telecom industry, this is what’s referred to as a “last mile” network. It provides good levels of both speed and capacity to provides fixed indoor broadband, otherwise known as point-to-point solutions. But, like any technology, the spectrum also has its limitations. For performance reasons it may not be a good match for mobile solutions like wireless phones and, in certain areas, terrain can make it difficult to “see” point-to-point.
Mobile service. It’s complicated. While providing broadband internet can be relatively straightforward, adding cellular service capabilities to a network creates additional complexity. All wireless service requires connection to the public switched telephone network (PSTN), which usually means negotiating an interconnection agreement with a local service provider. Wireless providers must also develop relationships with device manufacturers in order to have phones available to sell to customers. For customers who already have phones from other wireless providers, it may be necessary to swap out SIM cards and unlock devices in order to utilize the new network. And since your customers will likely travel to places not directly covered by the local network, providers should consider what roaming agreements are needed. Wireless providers are also subject to additional regulatory requirements, particularly when it comes to customers’ ability to dial 911.
Connecting to the rest of the world. Once you have a fully developed local network strategy including engineering and design, towers, shelters, power, spectrum, equipment, you still need to consider a key component: How do you connect your network to the internet? For this you’ll need backhaul. “Backhaul” is the term used to describe the transportation of data, usually over high-capacity lines or facilities (often called “middle mile” in Alaska). These middle mile networks are what will carry your customers’ data traffic from the edge of your network to the nearest internet exchange point, which is located in the Lower 48. Methods of backhaul include fiber (the gold standard for the industry), microwave solutions, and satellite service including both low-earth orbit satellites (LEOs) and geostationary satellites (GEOs). There are several providers of middle mile capacity in Alaska, including GCI. You likely will need to partner with one or more of us. The Alaska Telecommunications Association is a great way to connect with providers in your area.
Prepare for constant care. Once you have built your network and gotten your customers connected, make sure you have plans to keep your network up and running. Learn to expect the unexpected. You’ll want a deep bench of trained technicians to monitor your network 24/7/365 and stand ready to respond to problems at any hour and in all weather conditions. Be sure to keep an inventory of spare parts and equipment, not just for your core network but also the equipment in your customers’ homes and businesses. Depending on the model of service you plan to deliver, you may want to consider what customer care service will look like for those who use your service.
Plan for the future. Finally, be sure to have a plan to keep up with the exponential increase in the demand for data. Broadband networks are never finished. Literally as soon as you finish construction of your existing network in a community you need to be planning and preparing for the next generation of technology. Whether it’s more efficient software and hardware, more reliable back-up power sources, new phones or faster modems, there’s always something new on the horizon that ensures the best-possible customer experience. It’s up to service providers to keep up with those changes and the increasing connectivity needs of customers.
Building and managing a network in Alaska requires hard work, dedication and a talent for problem-solving. But delivering critical connectivity services makes it all worth it. We hope this information provides a helpful framework for organizations that are considering taking this important step. On behalf of GCI’s almost 2,000 Alaska employees, I’d like to thank you for considering this important step to help bridging the Alaska’s remaining digital divide. We look forward to working with new partners in the future.