Alaska telecom company GCI says it’s preparing to roll out a 3G cellphone network in mid-October—the first of its kind in Nome—with 3G service expanding to Kotzebue and Unalakleet by mid-November.
“If you do have a data-type phone, you will see a dramatic increase in the thru-put speed that you will be able to get your emails or surf the web. That will be the most dramatic thing that you will notice,” said David Morris, GCI’s vice president and spokesperson.
Morris said in western Alaska right now, most people only have access to 2G, or “second generation,” services. Anytime you add ‘another number,’ the data connection gets significantly better. But, if you don’t have data services on your cellphone, Morris said you probably won’t notice any changes this fall.
GCI decided to focus on increasing data capabilities in the bush rather than extending actual ‘talking range’ because most people communicate through data—for example, texting or social media. Morris referenced the now-trite observation that young people are speeding the transition toward increased data usage.
“You can look at some of the younger generation in particular. I’m not even sure that they know they have a phone in their hand because they’re texting each other all the time. And that’s all data—all the web browsing, that’s all data,” said Morris. “And it’s just where telecommunications has gone in the last few years.”
But it’s not just kids glued to their cellphones.
“About 20 years ago, 90 percent of the traffic was voice and 10 percent was data. And now what you’re seeing is that reversal,” said Morris. “You’ve got about 10 percent of the traffic is voice and 90 percent is data.”
Morris said it takes a while to bring new technology to this region, and while phone coverage will happen over time, improving data is the first priority because it’s what people most rely on.
“It’s sometimes challenging to bring the very latest technology to a fairly thinly populated area, but as technology continues to improve it makes it easier and more cost-efficient to be able to do that,” said Morris.
GCI has plans to boost connection in other communities in the region, including St. Lawrence Island. They’re waiting to secure funding, but Morris said the next two-to-three years look quite promising.
