This will be a joint Section and PES Chapter meeting.

Pacific Dataport has started construction on the first of two satellites that will be built and launched to provide affordable broadband service across Alaska for the first time. The first satellite known as Aurora 4a will be launching in 2020 and will offer up to7.5 gigabytes of broadband capacity.  Chuck and Pacific Dataport are working to solve the problem of access to broadband in rural Alaska that will provide up to 40 gigabytes of broadband Internet capacity. They have partnered with San Francisco-based satellite developer Astranis Space Technologies Corp. to build and launch the satellites.  Satellite platforms covering Alaska have been too low on the horizon; so Alaska has not been able to obtain full benefit of Satellite coverage for communications. The Aurora System will  utilize geosynchronous equatorial orbit positioned roughly over Hawaii and will  be able to provide broadband service up to 500 miles north of the North Slope, and provide service to cruise ship operating in the Arctic Ocean.

Whether your need is as a consumer, a small business, a school, a construction site or as a new remote facility of any kind this discussion will fill you in on all of the options that the Aurora project will bring to rural Alaska. Chuck will cover the capabilities of the system, area of coverage, launch options and technical specifications on the satellites Come listen to Chuck Schumann describe how Pacific Dataport is putting this project together and hear what the challenges are and consider how this can benefit you in your future endeavors in Alaska..

Speaker(s): Chuck Schumann,

Agenda:

11:30 am Check in,

11:35 Food service

11:45 Begin presentations

We will allow time for open discussions

1:00   Meeting ajourned

Location:
Bldg: Coast International Inn
3450 Aviation Drive,
Anchorage, Alaska