Pacific Dataport, Inc., a satellite middle-mile provider based in Anchorage, has officially launched its Nome Gateway, a major step in expanding broadband access to some of the state’s most remote communities.
The new gateway leverages Starlink’s low-earth orbit satellite technology to deliver the company’s Aurora LEO enterprise “backhaul service” to internet service providers serving the North Slope and Northwest regions.
The Nome Gateway is a notable infrastructure achievement for the region, offering more than 10 gigabits per second (a unit of measurement for data transfer rate) of satellite capacity to local ISPs.
It’s the largest commercial satellite capacity ever deployed in a single location globally, the company said. The gateway is designed to meet the growing demands of remote learning, telemedicine, and emergency response in rural Alaska.
By integrating Starlink’s high-speed, low-latency LEO technology into its service platform, Pacific Dataport is providing ISPs with the tools needed to offer reliable broadband to areas where traditional infrastructure is often infeasible due to harsh climate and rugged terrain, the company explained. The gateway also acts as a resilient backup network, helping maintain continuity of service in the event of weather-related or other disruptions.
The collaboration between Pacific Dataport and Starlink combines local expertise with global satellite innovation, creating a scalable and redundant system that can adapt to the evolving needs of Alaska’s underserved regions. The Nome Gateway supports critical connectivity for institutions such as schools, healthcare facilities, tribal organizations, and emergency responders, fundamentally changing how remote Alaskan communities engage with essential services.
This new deployment builds on Pacific Dataport’s broader mission to close the digital divide across the state. In addition to the Nome Gateway, the company continues to develop and operate infrastructure projects like Aurora 4A, a dedicated micro-GEO satellite launched in 2023 with partner Astranis that is designed specifically to serve Alaska’s unique geographic and connectivity needs.
As broadband demands grow, Pacific Dataport plans to replicate the Nome Gateway model in other parts of Alaska, extending service to more rural areas from the Arctic Circle to the Aleutian Islands.