Nome to Homer Broadband Express Project Route

The goal of the Nome to Homer Express project is to extend Quintillion’s existing fiber optic network to Southwestern Alaska, linking Nome to Homer through communities including Emmonak, Naknek, and Igiugig. The Nome to Homer Express will enhance connectivity by creating a redundant fiber ring in the Alaska network. Redundant services are critical because fiber cuts happen and can lead to outages with highly unpredictable restoration times. Quintillion and internet service providers are often at the mercy of Mother Nature and extreme weather conditions. Redundancy is almost like a second connection, so the average consumer, school, or clinic, will not have to experience sustained outages. If the fiber is cut in one location, traffic can be rerouted in another direction to minimize service interruptions. Here is an example of the connections of a redundant network:

As Quintillion advances the Nome to Homer Express project, the company is eager to engage closely with Alaskan communities and stakeholders to ensure its success and relevance. Engineering teams will be in communities throughout 2024 and 2025, and Quintillion aims to outline how collaboration will occur throughout this process.

Fiber installation for the Nome to Homer Express project involves both subsea and terrestrial methods. Subsea cables will be laid using specialized vessels and equipment, while terrestrial installation will utilize trenching and directional drilling techniques where applicable. The installation process adheres to industry best practices for telecommunications infrastructure, ensuring the reliability and longevity of the network. Quintillion employs skilled technicians and contractors with expertise in fiber optic deployment to ensure the highest standards of installation quality and performance. In short, Quintillion’s team has many years of experience laying subsea cable and will bring that expertise to bear on this project.

Quintillion will not require many operational facilities along the Nome to Homer Express broadband project route. Telecom structures will be placed in two locations to house the cable-powering equipment. During the construction phase, facilities for equipment and cable storage will be required. Quintillion will work closely with local authorities and stakeholders to identify suitable locations and ensure that facility requirements align with community needs and regulatory requirements.