MTA wins 2020 Outstanding Wireline Company Award for Alaska Canada Overland network

PALMER— Matanuska Telephone Association recently received the 2020 Outstanding Wireline Company Award from the Pacific Telecommunications Council.

MTA Fiber Holdings (MTAFH), a wholly owned subsidiary of MTA, was recognized for constructing the AlCan ONE (Alaska Canada Overland Network), the first and only all-terrestrial fiber network that will connect Alaska to the Lower 48 and beyond, according to a recent press release.

The Council chose MTA Fiber Holdings as this year’s recipient based on their exceptional contributions to improving connectivity in the Pacific Region and outward, which aligns with the Council’s mission to “connect people and organizations for a better world.”

“It’s a great honor to be recognized for our investment and dedication to improving Alaska’s internet capacity and connectivity in the years to come,” CEO of MTA Michael Burke said. “We work tirelessly to help all Alaskans — in our service area and beyond — live their most connected and empowered lives. AlCan ONE signifies our commitment to following through on that idea, further growing the state’s businesses, jobs and economy for all those who live and work here with the help of a scalable, reliable, competitive telecommunications solution.”

MTA announced the massive project in May of 2019 and quickly started constructing a dedicated fiber line for current internet transport needs with the capacity to support the continuing growth of broadband in the future.

AlCan ONE fiber network will establish a secure and reliable fiber connection to any point across the country, according to the press release. It will be operating with a capacity of over 100 terabits-per-second, which can expand and increase over time as demand grows.

The project is the result of years of planning to establish a fiber line out of the state. MTA stated the network will provide members and surrounding Alaskans with a “robust internet connectivity for decades to come.”

They anticipate the network will be completed Spring 2020.

MTA stated the new network will reduce transportation expenses, which will allow them to invest the savings into other technological, infrastructure and community-centered improvements.

MTA stated this massive project supports business and job growth on top of providing increased access to high-speed internet. They said it’s a “pioneering step for the people of Alaska.”

“AlCan ONE will connect Alaskans both regionally and internationally, and will reinforce the promising future Alaska has when provided robust technology and internet infrastructure,” MTA Vice President of Wholesale and Carrier Relations Francis LaChapelle said. “We look forward to Alaskans seeing the benefits that this project will reap once completed, as well as partnering with other regional and international players to further these efforts in the future.”

For more information on MTA Fiber Holdings, please visit www.mtafiber.com.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com.