NorthStar

Overview

The NorthStar is a domestic submarine cable network within the United States, connecting four coastal locations: Hillsboro in Oregon and three points in Alaska—Lena Point, Valdez, and Whittier. The total length of the cable is 3229 km.

Route and Landings

Hillsboro, OR, United States

Lena Point, AK, United States

Valdez, AK, United States

Whittier, AK, United States

Ownership and Operators

The NorthStar cable is operated by Alaska Communications.

Status and Timeline

The NorthStar cable was Ready for Service (RFS) in 1999. The status of the cable is unknown.

Strategic Context

The corridor generally connects coastal regions within the United States, specifically linking Oregon with Alaska through submarine cables. This network serves to enhance communication infrastructure and support data transfer between these states. Alaska Communications, a subsidiary of Telxius (Telefónica), operates in various parts of North America, including Alaska and other territories.

Alaska Communications is part of the larger Telefónica group, one of Spain’s leading telecommunications companies. With operations spanning multiple countries in Europe and Latin America, Telefónica has a significant presence in global communications networks. In the United States, Alaska Communications provides broadband internet, voice, and video services to residential and business customers across several states, including Alaska. The NorthStar cable is part of a broader network that supports communication needs between Oregon and Alaska. The corridor generally serves to strengthen the regional infrastructure by providing an alternative or supplementary route for data transmission. telecommunications landscape due to its proximity to major tech hubs like Seattle.