Outage Updates

1. Recovery of the seaside cable has been successful. Cable is currently secured on the repair deck.
2. The cable testing process is underway with initial positive results. Following the testing and assuming continued positive results, the sea-side cable splicing will commence ASAP.
3. Within the next 24 hours, as splicing and testing routines are being performed, we will provide an estimated service restoration schedule to our downstream/service providers.
   1. We expect each of the service providers will have reconfiguration and service establishment tasks to complete before end user services are restored. Our Tech team and Network Operations Center will work with each service provider to advance and confirm service restoral.
   2. We will also inform if additional challenges and/or delays are encountered.
4. Massive gratitude to the recovery crew for the persistent effort under extreme and challenging conditions.

1. Status Recap:
   1. Shore-side cable (the cable heading south back to Oliktok Point Landing Station) has been recovered, tested, and buoyed.
   2. Sea-side cable (heading north out to Branch Unit) has been located and engaged on the seabed floor:
      1. ROV inspection shows 20 meters of accessible cable on the seabed floor. The target is 50-60 meters of accessible cable in order to reach the surface with workable slack for splicing operations. The water depth in the area is ~25 Meters.
      2. Continue ROV excavation efforts to expose more cable (total of 50-60M target) which is currently buried within the seabed floor.
      3. Wheeled de-trenching grapnel currently working excavation in tandem with ROV jetting on the above objectives.
2. Good weather conditions but still poor visibility at water depth. Expecting visibility to improve with current weather conditions.
3. Cable gripper standing by with ROV. An improved visibility condition may provide an opportunity to engage the cable for recovery.

1. Excavating, Grapnel runs, and ROV operations have made expected progress due to progressively deeper penetrations into the seabed.
   • Seaside cable has been exposed and engaged on the seabed.
   • Attempts continue to bring up the cable, safely and effectively, to the repair deck. Efforts ongoing currently.Wheeled de-trencher on standby for an alternative approach if necessary.
2. Planning various alternatives to accomplish cable recovery.
   a. Dive team operations to support and hasten recovery in a ready posture.
3. Sea/weather conditions improved and have been acceptable work conditions. Poor visibility at fault site remains.

1. Excavating, Grapnel runs, and ROV operations continue with progressively deeper penetrations into the seabed with attempts to recover the sea-side cable.
2. Planned organized and implementing deployment of a wheeled de-trencher for an alternative approach to access the seabed at targeted burial depths.
3. Continual challenges presented by the deep burial of the cable at the fault sight. Runs proceeding at alternate locations north of the fault site.
4. Evaluating and preparing various alternatives to accomplish cable recovery.
   a. More aggressive de-trenching
   b. Dive team operations to support and hasten recovery while managing safety concerns caused by poor visibility.
5. Recovery attempts and alternatives approaches implemented on a round-the-clock schedule.
6. Sea/weather conditions worsened with winds and swells. Poor visibility at fault site remains.

1. Efforts to date have been to methodically alternate between grapnel runs and ROV recovery runs.
2. Excavating attempts at the cable fault line increasing as an addition to the ongoing routines in #1.
3. Recovery attempts and alternatives approaches implemented on a round-the-clock schedule.
4. Sea/weather conditions favorable but still poor visibility at fault site.

1. No material updates so far today. The repair team engaged in various sea-side cable acquisition attempts.
2. Methodical Grapnel runs for Sea-side cable recovery continuing.
3. Alternating Grapnel runs with sonar-equipped Remote Operating Vehicles (ROV) recovery runs.

1. Methodical Grapnel runs for Sea-side cable recovery continuing.
2. Alternating Grapnel runs with sonar equipped Remote Operating Vehicles (ROV) recovery runs.
3. Weather was an inhibiting factor all day Sunday with persistent high winds and rough seas.

1. Methodical and multiple Grapnel runs for Sea-side cable recovery continuing.
2. Alternating Grapnel runs with sonar-equipped Remote Operating Vehicles (ROV) recovery runs.
3. Weather will be an inhibiting factor for the next few hours (strong winds and 4-6M seas) but forecasted to clear this afternoon when Recovery runs will continue.
4. Estimates on repair duration and service restoration will be forthcoming. All Q wholesale partners (i.e., ACS, GCI, ASTAC, Fastwyre etc.) will be notified as soon as final repair schedules are firm. We will coordinate downstream service restoration with local operators.
5. Shore end cable has been recovered, testing completed, sealed, and redeployed to seabed with clump weight anchor and buoy with radar reflector.
6. Cable fault end (damaged segment) is stored and secure for after-action study.

1. Ice conditions remain favorable. We expect same for the immediate future while we monitor ice forecasts in real-time.
2. Weatherwise continues to be fair with light winds at ~6MPH
3. Visibility at the cable location remains at zero.
4. Grapnel runs for Sea-side cable recovery continuing using modified de-trencher. Attempts will continue through the afternoon and evening.
5. Shore end cable has been recovered, testing completed, sealed and redeployed to seabed with clump weight anchor and buoy with radar reflector.
6. Cable fault end (damaged segment) is stored and secure for after action study.
7. Estimates on repair duration and service restoration will be forthcoming.

1. The repair operations are fully underway.
2. Ice conditions remain favorable. We expect same for the immediate future while we monitor ice forecasts in real-time.
3. Wind conditions are steady at 15-19 MPH and currents are negligible.
4. Visibility at the cable location remains at zero.
5. Shore end cable has been recovered, testing completed, sealed and redeployed to sea bed with clump weight anchor and buoy with radar reflector.
6. Cable fault end (damaged segment) is stored and secure for after action study.
7. Sea-side cable recovery efforts in full stride.
8. Nome and Oliktok Point cable landing stations manned by Quintillion Tech/Eng personnel to support testing, repair and restoral of service.
9. Estimates on repair duration and service restoration will be forthcoming.

1. The repair operations are fully underway.
2. Ice conditions remain favorable. We expect same for the immediate future while we monitor ice forecasts in real-time.
3. Wind conditions are variable at 22-24 knots and currents are negligible.
4. Visibility at the cable location is zero which is not surprising based on shallow water and gale force winds stirring up the water column.
5. Cable locating runs have progressed and been successful. Various testing on damaged Fiber is occurring presently.
6. Nome and Oliktok Point cable landing stations manned by Quintillion Tech/Eng personnel to support testing, repair and restoral of service.
7. Estimates on repair duration and service restoration will be forthcoming.

1. The repair operations are underway with the repair crew (22 personnel) all on board the repair vessel.
2. Ice conditions remain favorable around the area of operation. Vessel is positioned east of the cable line in 25M of water.
3. Wind conditions are somewhat challenging, but repair work is advancing.
4. Visibility at the cable location is zero which is not surprising based on shallow water and gale force winds stirring up the water column.
5. Developing an ROV excavation plan, also developing a grapnel recovery plan B.
6. Nome and Oliktok Point cable landing stations manned by Quintillion Tech/Eng personnel to support repair and restoral of service.
7. Estimates on repair duration and service restoration will be forthcoming.

1. The repair vessel has been cleared, by ice forecasters, to proceed around Point Barrow and then to the area of operation/fault repair.
2. The vessel began transiting yesterday and is clearing Point Barrow currently.
3. The ice and weather conditions at the fault area are currently favorable for repair operations. The conditions forecasts will be monitored closely for changes.
4. The vessel is scheduled to arrive at the fault area this morning when inspection, assessment and repair operations will immediately commence.
5. Estimates on repair and service restoration will be forthcoming following results of #4.

1. The repair vessel continues standing by off Wainwright. Ice conditions are dynamic due to gale force west winds that are forecasted to continue through today with a potential access window later this week as conditions improve. There is confidence that the vessel will be able to continue transit to the area of operation once they clear Pt. Barrow.
2. We recently attempted development of an alternative route to circumvent a Point Barrow passage. The forecasters review and analysis of the satellite imagery data for the NWS <1 tenth western route through the ice (see below screenshot) has determined the risk too high due to limited data and fast-moving ice. The vessel will not be pursuing this route today.

1. The repair vessel remains in a holding posture off Wainwright due to lingering ice conditions around Point Barrow and the fault location. See attached views.
2. Ice continues to drift to the east and north. Much of the ice continues to fracture into smaller pieces aiding in the melt process and flushing out into the southern Beaufort Sea. Estimates are that the vessel can make the transit later this week if ice continues to abate on the current trend. The vessel will engage at the first clear and safe opportunity.
3. No further material updates at this time.

1. The IT Integrity repair vessel arrived at the ice-standby location nearby Wainwright on Tuesday August 15th.
2. Sea ice conditions have prevented further transit and repair operations – current forecasts indicate a possible window to transit to the site and begin repair operations on Tuesday August 22nd.
3. Quintillion has previously retained a dedicated forecasting team analyzing available weather and ice data every day and will continue to adjust the plan based on conditions and outlook.
4. See below National Weather Service sea ice concentration map from August 16th with the vessel standby position and approximate location of the fiber break identified. Note that sea ice has pinched off access beyond Wainwright and is also present nearby the fiber break location. Forecasts indicate a possible access window next Tuesday.
5. Necessary permits and authorizations have been received and the required vessel specialist crew and cable station personnel are standing by to support cable repair and service restoration activities. We have ground operations teams present or soon to be present at network end points.
6. Current estimate to restore fiber broadband services is August 28-30, assuming safe access to begin final transit to the repair location on the 22nd.

• The repair vessel has departed Dutch Harbor for Oliktok Point, where the fiber was cut.
• Ice forecasts for water ways to the site show about three-tenths ice coverage starting this week.
• The technical team will be stationed at Nome and Oliktok Point to help restore internet service.

• Permit applications necessary to complete the planned offshore repair activities completed.
• Briefed the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission in Fairbanks regarding planned offshore repair activities.
• Sea ice forecasts continue to indicate ice free opening into the area during the second half of August.
• Current plan of work, based on ice forecast, have repair operations beginning on August 9th through August 22nd. Note: this schedule is based area of operation being 90% free of ice.
• The National Weather Service released a revised 3-month public sea ice forecast indicating the earliest opening of the navigation channel to the coastal area nearby the fault as 2nd half of August. This is consistent with recent commercial ice forecasts.
• The repair vessel is currently on Vancouver Island in preparation for transit to the area of operation.
• Repair vessel scheduled to be standing by off Wainwright for the 2nd half of August in anticipation of an opening in the sea ice.

The first stage of mobilizing repair vessels is essentially completed. Further, all the necessary resources, tools and equipment are in place to address the repair. As we move forward, we are now entering the next phase of repair operations. As such, future updates may have fewer details due to time in transit and time in wait for ice abatement. Our intention is to consistently provide substantive information and a comprehensive overview of the progress made each day/week.

We understand that consistent communication is vital, and we appreciate your patience and understanding as we make this adjustment. Rest assured, our commitment to transparency remains unwavering. Our updates will contain detailed information about the ongoing repairs, challenges faced, and milestones achieved. No change in estimated time for repair although many options to expedite repair are being evaluated based on risk profile, probability of success, and safety. Paying close attention to the ice-free estimates/forecasts as a gating item.

• Quintillion personnel held productive discussions with community leaders in Utqiagvik on June 22nd and 23rd, sharing and describing plans and alternatives. The meeting showcased excellent teamwork and a strong focus on productive activity.
• One Web User Terminals have been delivered and are in various stages of installation.
• Forecasts indicate that the fast ice will break up in July and overall ice coverage in the area will reduce to 30% coverage during the first half of August and be ice-free in the second half of August.
• The Integrity cable repair ship is currently on its way to Vancouver, but it is not ice-strengthened and requires the ice to dissipate before reaching the repair location. The anticipated arrival of the vessel is in the first week of August, contingent upon favorable weather and ice conditions.
• We have identified available ice-strengthened vessels that could be mobilized and outfitted with cable repair equipment and personnel necessary to complete the repair in the presence of sea ice – these alternatives will be further developed in parallel with the contracted marine maintenance vessel.
• We are actively collaborating with the North Slope Borough and VOICE, while also engaging with KBRW to provide periodic public service updates. The North Slope Borough and VOICE have played vital leadership roles in coordinating the crisis response, demonstrating tireless dedication, while all service providers concentrate on implementing workarounds and conducting necessary repairs.

No change in estimated time for repair although many options to expedite repair are being evaluated based on risk profile, probability of success, and safety. Paying close attention to the ice-free estimates/forecasts as a gating item.

• Placed Orders for 500Mbps capacity with the excellent support of PDI and OneWeb. User terminals have been provisioned and tested in Anchorage. Shipped out today for local installation.
• Reviewed and integrated into repair plan, the ice forecasts and permitting requirements.
• We have received the initial plan of work for the cable repair from our marine maintenance vendor. The repair vessel is planned to be mobilized with Quintillion spare equipment and standing by off Wainwright in advance of the expected Beaufort Sea ice-free opening window.
  a. Actively monitoring the forecasted ice-free window. This will be the driver of the critical path and determine access to the fault area.
• We have identified available ice-strengthened vessels that could be mobilized and outfitted with cable repair equipment and personnel necessary to complete the repair in the presence of sea ice – these alternatives will be further developed in parallel with the contracted marine maintenance vessel.
• We have kicked off permitting and consultation activities necessary to plan and execute the offshore repair.
• Continuing to explore various unconventional options to make temporary repairs to the Quintillion system or establish temporary fiber connectivity around the faulted fiber segment – these will be worked in parallel with the contracted marine maintenance vessel repairs.
• Repair vessels’ earliest arrival is estimated to be in the first week of August. Monitoring weather and ice dissipation and will inform of changes as they become known.

• Sourcing back-up broadband capacity for distribution into the affected markets. Orders have been placed, shipping and installation planning underway.
• Evaluating Ice-Class vessels for early deployment prior to ice abatement.
• Exploring under-ice repair options to prep area of restoration operations.
• Met with our marine maintenance vendor to further develop repair plan, including required permitting, loading of spare materials in Dutch Harbor, operations nearby sea-ice, and coordination with the pre-repair survey team.
• Reviewed and integrated into repair plan, the ice forecasts and permitting requirements.
• Evaluated various unconventional options to make temporary repairs to the Quintillion system or establish temporary fiber connectivity around the faulted fiber segment – these will be worked in parallel with the contracted marine maintenance vessel repairs.

No change in estimated time for repair (6-8 weeks)

Recent activity:

• Engaged permitting resources to support repair planning and execution.
• Developed a scope of work and tentative plan for a pre-repair survey of the fault location that could be implemented with limited logistical support as soon as the area is free from sea-ice.
• Further isolated the fault location using C-OTDR resources at the Quintillion CLS facilities.

• We have reached out to weather and ice flow experts to determine the earliest access to the area of operation.
• Additional world-class sea experts have been engaged to assist in the planning and implementation of the repairs.
• We have continuous monitoring of cable to assist in repair planning and ensure the integrity of the remainder of the system.

Dear Quintillion Stakeholder,

As you know, we have recently sustained a sub-sea system wide outage. We understand the importance of uninterrupted service for our priority customers, and we are working diligently to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.

Here are the key details regarding the service outage:

The outage is a result of an ice scouring event causing damage to our cable about 55 Km north of Oliktok Point. Our sub-sea system is currently out of service. Our dedicated team of experts is actively engaged in diagnosing and resolving the issue. They are working in coordination with our partners and undersea cable maintenance teams to restore the services at the earliest possible time. A repair vessel has been mobilized and is enroute to the area. We will be working to coordinate the timing of the vessel arrival with the ice break up around point Barrow.

• We have engaged our marine maintenance vendor, provided data regarding the existing facilities nearby the fault location, and are planning the repair operation.
• We are continuing to pinpoint the repair location using coherent optical time domain reflectometer equipment located at our Oliktok Point cable landing station. This will support repair planning and ultimately expedite the repair process.

At present, we are unable to provide an exact timeline for service restoration due to the complexity of the issue. However, please be assured that we are mobilizing all available resources and applying our utmost efforts to minimize the downtime and restore services as soon as possible. The current estimate is 6-8 weeks depending on timing of ice breakup and repair requirements. See the attached maps describing the affected area.

We understand the inconvenience this service outage may cause. We will provide regular updates (as there is substance to report) regarding the progress of the restoration efforts via email and our website.