Hollis, AK, United States

Hollis, AK: A Quiet Link in Alaska's Connectivity

Hollis, Alaska, may not be a household name in the world of submarine cable infrastructure, but its role in regional connectivity is quietly significant. This landing point hosts the SEALink South cable, a 159 km domestic connection that stitches together three locations in southeastern Alaska: Hollis, Coffman Cove, and Ketchikan. With a ready-for-service date of 2024, this cable represents a modern investment in local connectivity for a remote region.

Regional Connectivity: Linking Hollis to Alaska's Coastline

Unlike major landing points across the United States, such as Boca Raton, FL, or Hermosa Beach, CA, which host multiple international cables, Hollis is part of a smaller domestic chain. The SEALink South cable does not extend beyond U.S. borders; instead, it serves as a critical link between communities in southeastern Alaska. This region, known for its rugged terrain and dispersed population, relies heavily on localized infrastructure to stay connected. Hollis's neighbors in this cable chain-Coffman Cove and Ketchikan-highlight the importance of regional connections. Ketchikan, the largest of the three, serves as a hub for commerce and transportation in the area. Hollis, by contrast, is a quieter spot, but its inclusion in the SEALink South network ensures that even smaller communities are part of Alaska's digital landscape.

Latency and Performance: What GeoCables Observes

GeoCables has conducted 12 latency checks to Hollis from seven source cities, yielding an average round-trip latency of 103 ms. The best observed latency was an impressive 25 ms, showcasing the efficiency of this domestic cable. While these numbers are higher than those of major international hubs like Kapolei, HI, or San Juan, PR, they are well-suited to the needs of southeastern Alaska, where reliable connectivity is often more important than ultra-low latency.

Hollis in Context

The United States hosts 113 submarine cables across 160 landing points, with an average cable length of 4,957 km. Hollis, with its single cable and relatively short connection of 159 km, ranks in the top 69% of U.S. landing points by cable count. While it may not rival larger hubs in scale, its role in the SEALink South chain ensures that southeastern Alaska remains connected to broader networks.

A Modest but Meaningful Role

Hollis, AK, is not a bustling landing point with multiple international cables, nor does it serve as a gateway to global connectivity. Instead, it plays a modest but meaningful role in linking remote Alaskan communities. The SEALink South cable ensures that even in this rugged and isolated region, residents and businesses can access the digital tools they need to thrive. For Hollis, connectivity is not about global reach-it's about keeping Alaska connected to itself.