Alaska United Southeast (AU-SE): A regional submarine cable serving Southeast Alaska
The Alaska United Southeast (AU-SE) submarine cable is a 626-kilometer fiber optic system owned by GCI Communication Corp, connecting several communities in Southeast Alaska. Operational since 2008 (according to GeoCables records), the cable plays a significant role in providing connectivity to remote and coastal areas in the region. Its landing points include
Angoon,
Hawk Inlet,
Juneau,
Ketchikan,
Petersburg,
Sitka, and
Wrangell, all located in the United States.
What makes AU-SE particularly noteworthy is its role in a geographically challenging region where terrestrial infrastructure is limited due to rugged terrain and dispersed islands. However, public information about its design capacity, fiber pairs, and technology remains undisclosed, leaving some technical aspects of the cable open to speculation.
Quick facts
| Cable name | Alaska United Southeast (AU-SE) |
| Length | 626 km |
| Ready for service (RFS) | 2008 (GeoCables database) |
| Owner | GCI Communication Corp |
| Status | In service |
| Design capacity | Not disclosed |
| Fiber pairs | Not disclosed |
| Supplier | Not disclosed |
| Technology | Not disclosed |
| Landing points | Angoon, Hawk Inlet, Juneau, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Sitka, Wrangell (United States) |
🗺 Show Alaska United Southeast (AU-SE) on the interactive cable map
Route
The AU-SE cable connects seven landing points in Southeast Alaska: Angoon, Hawk Inlet, Juneau, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Sitka, and Wrangell. This corridor spans a region characterized by mountainous terrain, fjords, and island communities, making submarine cables a practical solution for telecommunications. Juneau and Ketchikan are among the larger cities in the region, while the other landing points serve smaller communities.
At Juneau, the AU-SE cable intersects with other cables such as
Alaska United East (AU-East) and
FISH South, while Ketchikan serves as a junction with
Alaska United West (AU-West),
KetchCan1 Submarine Fiber Cable System, and
SEALink South. Petersburg is connected to
SEALink. These intersections provide redundancy and alternate paths for data traffic.
Why it was built and what it carries
The AU-SE cable was built to address the connectivity needs of Southeast Alaska, a region where terrestrial infrastructure is limited due to geographical constraints. By providing high-speed data transmission, the cable supports internet, voice, and other telecommunications services for residential, commercial, and governmental users. Its role is particularly important for remote communities that rely on reliable communication links for economic and social development.
History: what can be established
GeoCables records indicate that the AU-SE cable became ready for service in 2008. No conflicting dates have surfaced in publicly available industry sources, so this year is taken as accurate. The cable's construction aligns with GCI Communication Corp's broader efforts to expand connectivity across Alaska, including other systems in the Alaska United network.
Capacity and technology
Publicly available information does not disclose the design capacity, number of fiber pairs, supplier, or specific technology used in the AU-SE cable. Without documentation from the operator, attributing these parameters would be speculative. It is likely that the cable employs standard optical fiber technology for submarine systems, but details such as wavelength configurations and amplification remain unknown.
Latency: the physics
The theoretical one-way light propagation latency for the AU-SE cable's wet segment is approximately 3.1 milliseconds, with a round-trip time (RTT) floor of 6.1 milliseconds. These values are calculated based on the speed of light in optical fiber, which ranges from 200,000 to 204,000 kilometers per second.
Real-world latency measurements, however, are significantly higher due to additional factors such as land tails, terminal equipment, and routing. For instance, live measurements from remote probes show RTTs ranging from 186.2 milliseconds (Saint Petersburg to Sitka) to 280.9 milliseconds (Cape Town to Sitka). These figures reflect the full internet path rather than the cable alone, incorporating delays from terrestrial networks and intercontinental routing.
Redundancy: what happens if it breaks
If the AU-SE cable experiences a fault, redundancy is available through other cables in the region. At Juneau, alternate routes include Alaska United East (AU-East) and FISH South, while Ketchikan provides connections to Alaska United West (AU-West), KetchCan1 Submarine Fiber Cable System, and SEALink South. Petersburg is linked to SEALink. These systems can reroute traffic, minimizing disruptions.
Repairing submarine cables typically involves specialized vessels equipped with remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) for locating and fixing faults. Repairs in Southeast Alaska may face logistical challenges due to weather conditions and the region's complex geography.
Bottom line
- The Alaska United Southeast (AU-SE) cable spans 626 km and connects seven landing points in Southeast Alaska.
- Owned by GCI Communication Corp, it has been in service since 2008 (GeoCables database).
- Design capacity, fiber pairs, supplier, and technology are not publicly disclosed.
- Theoretical latency is approximately 6.1 ms RTT for the wet segment, but real-world measurements are much higher due to routing and land tails.
- Redundancy is available through intersecting cables at Juneau, Ketchikan, and Petersburg.