ACS Alaska-Oregon Network (AKORN)

1. Consortium Members

• Alaska Communications Systems (ACS)

2. Length of the Cable

The total length of the AKORN cable is over 1,800 miles (approximately 2,897 kilometers).

3. Landing Cities

Primary Landing Points:

• Anchorage, Alaska, USA
• Florence, Oregon, USA

4. Network Devices Used

• Repeaters: Used to amplify signals over long distances.
• Branching Units: Allow connection to multiple landing points.

5. Total Bandwidth

The AKORN network provides a maximum data transfer rate of 2.6 terabits per second (Tbps).

6. Fiber Pairs

Specific details on the number of fiber pairs are not explicitly provided, but it supports simultaneous data and voice communications with a significant capacity of handling millions of SMS, calls, and data packets.

7. Segment Ownership

The entire cable system is managed by Alaska Communications Systems (ACS).

8. Additional Technical Details

• Cable Design: The cable varies in diameter and weight depending on proximity to land and ocean depth. Heavily armored in shallow waters and lighter armor in deeper regions.
• Latency: Offers highly optimized low-latency connections between Alaska and the continental United States.
• Redundancy and Reliability: Designed with geographic diversity and redundancy to mitigate natural disasters and unforeseen disruptions. Routes avoid high-risk areas like Turnagain Arm.

9. Operational Aspects

• In-Service Date: The AKORN cable was put into service in Q2 of 2009.
• Planned Upgrades: Future upgrades could increase capacity and integration with other networks like the Northstar network.