The QSH nome to homer express route, serves dual purposes: 1. IT extends the existing network, and completes a ring, connecting previously constructed network fairbanks to nome, via prudoe BAY,…

The U.S. Department of Commerce National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) awarded a $150,799,819.89 Middle Mile (Broadband) Grant (CFDA 11.033) to QSH Parent Holdco LLC to design, plan, and construct a 1,051-mile fiber optic network connecting the communities of Nome, Emmonak, Naknek, King Salmon, Igiugig, and Homer, Alaska. The project aims to expand and improve middle mile infrastructure to enable last-mile providers to offer competitive, high-speed broadband services to previously unserved and underserved populations, including those living below 150% of the poverty level. The project is expected to be completed by June 30, 2027, and will result in a redundant, survivable fiber ring connecting to various cable systems reaching the lower 48 states and beyond, providing a diverse, secure connection with up to 30 TB of capacity.

Expected outcomes

The nome to homer express route will provide a diverse connection, capable of up to 30 TB with upgrades, connecting to cable systems terminating reaching the lower 48 and beyond. For the 6 immediately served communities and the 10 indirectly served, the new system will provide a competitive alternative to the existing service offerings. Most end user offerings in the area have capacity caps resulting from middle mile capacity limitations. Based on previous deployment by the applicant on their PHASE1 system, the cost of service by last mile providers came down, and utilization caps were removed as a result of ample available capacity on the middle mile.

Intended beneficiaries

The 6 directly connected communities with a population of 10,695 in nome, emmonak, naknek, king salmon, igiugig and homer and the indirectly affected communities with a population of 13,052 in hooper BAY, toksook BAY, EEK, oscarville, napaskiak, bethel, goodnews BAY, togiak, dillingham and levelock benefit by the availability of fiber connectivity that removes capacity constraints for last mile providers. Available capacity results in lower costs to end users in all of these communities, and removal of utilization caps by last mile providers enables applications like telehealth which improves health outcomes, online learning opportunities which improves education outcomes, and commercial applications for these areas. There is national security benefit from this diverse, redundant secure fiber path, in a geopolitically significant region. The applicant's satellite ground station teleport at utqiagvik (barrow) at 72 degrees-n is the northernmost satellite ground station location on U.S. Soil. Sub recipient activities: subsidiary of QSH parent holdco LLC who will build, own, manage & operate nome to homer express project.