Starlink in Alaska: Bridging Distances and Elevating Education
Mark Roetto, Director of Business Development, Microcom
Starlink broadband use and adoption continues to grow across Alaska having a profound impact on connectivity access for rural Alaskans, education services, and e-learning opportunities. Microcom is fortunate to be one of the only authorized Starlink retailers worldwide. Alaska owned and operated, Microcom has brought revolutionary satellite-based technology to Alaskans for over 40 years and is proud to be a Starlink partner. Microcom enjoys a unique perspective on the adoption and use cases for Starlink across Alaska. Working closely with Starlink, our engineers, and end users, Microcom has helped to create many first of their kind solutions.
The use of low earth orbit satellites (LEO) has brought broadband internet to many Alaskans, regardless of their location, for the first time. Faced with budget pressures, increasing reliance on the internet and the need to ensure resiliency, rural School Districts are rapidly integrating Starlink into their networks. Many Districts are enjoying greater speeds at a fraction of historical costs. Likewise, Starlink’s ability to provide a diverse route during terrestrial outages has allowed many schools to continue to operate regardless of restoration times.
The remoteness of many schools has added to the challenges of teacher retention and morale. Starlink internet use in teacher housing locations has proven to be a key tool to increase teacher retention.
Starlink continues to push the envelope of what is possible with LEO broadband constellations. Now approaching 6,500 satillites in operation and leveraging satellite-to-satellite laser connections, speeds continue to increase, and latency continues to decrease.
From the impressive speeds of High-Performance antennas to the mobility of the recently released Mini, Starlink adoption use cases grow daily. Already tested in recent hurricane impacted areas of the Lower 48, Starlink’s direct to cellular handset is poised to be another revolutionary milestone not only expanding connectivity but allowing IOT connectivity in ways previously unimaginable.
Microcom provides same-day/next-day service and support by stocking Starlink equipment at warehouses in strategic locations. Microcom also helps customers innovate and design custom mounts and accessories as the many unique challenges of rural Alaska require unique solutions.
Starlink has only just begun to change the way we think about data communication in Alaska and the possibilities that LEO broadband connectivity enables. With more amazing capabilities on the way, satellite communications will continue to provide new and innovative solutions across Alaska into the future.
The views expressed here are the writer’s and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Alaska School Boards. AASB welcomes diverse perspectives and civil discourse. To submit a Guest Column for consideration, see our Guest Column Guidelines and email your 400-1000 word submission HERE.