his year, Arctic Slope Telephone Association Cooperative, Inc. (ASTAC) is celebrating a major milestone: 40 years of serving North Slope residents. Anchorage based ASTAC provides broadband Ethernet and Internet; 4G wireless; and local and long-distance services to Point Lay, Point Hope, Atqasuk, Kaktovik, Utqiagvik, Anaktuvuk Pass, Wainwright, Nuiqsut, and Deadhorse.

ASTAC has invested heavily to build out its network. Since 2015, the member-owned cooperative has installed over 62 miles of fiber networks connecting almost 2,000 locations and made significant strides with modernizing its wireless network. Recently, ASTAC turned up three new 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) sites on the Dalton Highway to provide much-needed wireless coverage–and enhanced safety–from the Brooks Range to Dead horse. It also launched Home Internet 25+, the North Slope’s first and only 25-megabits-per-second Internet service, and has initiated projects to bring high-speed broadband to Kaktovik and Atqasuk.

“We’re here to serve the members, and that plays a large role in our investments and our ability to be here for the long haul,” CEO/General Manager Jens Laipenieks says.

ASTAC is a full-service telecommunications provider that is distinguished by the quality of its network and technical expertise. With its state-of-the-art solutions, ASTAC focuses on ensuring customers–including those in Prudhoe Bay–have access to advanced services. “In the oil field, we have solutions for voice, data and mobile,” Laipenieks says. “We are the only provider that has a private LTE network to provide dedicated wireless connections.”

As another crucial differentiator, ASTAC maintains skilled staff in Deadhorse and Utqiagvik and village reps in each of its markets. This allows for 24-hour network monitoring and management–and quick response times for resolving issues. Laipenieks elaborates, “We have resources in our markets, so we don’t have to gather up equipment and materials and fly them up to the North Slope to solve a problem.”

ASTAC’s success is inextricably linked to its ability to adapt and make smart, proactive investments in its networks; in partnerships with AT&T, Quintillion and other companies; and primarily in its employees. Since 2015, ASTAC has invested more than $50 million in its fiber network and high-capacity microwaves. “We are building future-proof networks in an industry that is highly volatile,” Laipenieks says.

The cooperative is also making substantial investments in automation and system integration to reduce expenses, increase efficiencies and enhance its competitiveness. ASTAC also prioritizes developing its employees. Laipenieks explains: “Their ability to solve problems and advance the network is critical to where we are today. We continue to develop our staff to stay current with ever-evolving technology.”

Additionally, ASTAC promotes the adoption of technology in the communities it serves to inspire future leaders. Consequently, the company sponsors various programs and scholarships for North Slope students.

Going forward, ASTAC will continue to invest in its networks and Alaska. Laipenieks says: “We don’t believe the North Slope should have less access to technology than more urban markets. We are committed to closing the technology gap.”