FCC lets GCI buy Quintillion's Arctic subsea fiber
On October 20th the FCC approved, with conditions, the transfer of control of Quintillion's submarine cable landing license to GCI and denied Alaska Communications' petition to deny. The 1,176-mile Quintillion System connects Prudhoe Bay, Utqiagvik, Wainwright, Point Hope, Kotzebue and Nome, and its Nome to Homer Express extension adds landings at Emmonak, Hooper Bay and Naknek. Alaska Communications argued that GCI and Quintillion are the only middle mile providers for substantial portions of Western and Northern Alaska. The FCC found the concerns largely mitigated, citing the growing presence of low Earth orbit satellite providers, particularly Starlink, while acknowledging disagreement in the record over whether Starlink sells wholesale middle mile service in Alaska today. As conditions, GCI must honor Quintillion's existing contracts and pricing for the life of the system, may adjust prices for inflation only when Anchorage inflation tops 5 percent and no sooner than three years after closing, and must file larger contracts with the FCC for five to seven years. The deal carries a $310 million enterprise value. The order does not mention artificial intelligence or data centers.
How the public reaches this
The order is decided. Petitions for reconsideration or applications for review may be filed within thirty days of its October 20th release, under the FCC's own rules. GCI must give the FCC its larger wholesale and enterprise contracts on the Quintillion network under seal, so the prices stay out of public view.
Timeline
Sources
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How this decision moved
One dated line per material change, oldest first.
2026-10-31 Added. Read today against the FCC's order DA 26-1124, released October 20th, including its conditions in Appendix A. Broadband Breakfast reported GCI's statement on October 26th that the approval is an important step to completing the transaction, which has not yet closed.
Articles on this decision
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Cite this
Alaska AI Docket, FCC lets GCI buy Quintillion's Arctic subsea fiber.
Tracked since October 31st, last verified
October 31st. https://alaskaaihq.com/docket/fcc-gci-quintillion-transfer/ · Reuse permitted under
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What is FCC lets GCI buy Quintillion's Arctic subsea fiber?
On October 20th the FCC approved, with conditions, the transfer of control of Quintillion's submarine cable landing license to GCI and denied Alaska Communications' petition to deny. The...
Who decides FCC lets GCI buy Quintillion's Arctic subsea fiber?
Federal Communications Commission, Office of International Affairs
Can I comment on FCC lets GCI buy Quintillion's Arctic subsea fiber?
The order is decided. Petitions for reconsideration or applications for review may be filed within thirty days of its October 20th release, under the FCC's own rules. GCI must give the FCC its larger wholesale and enterprise contracts on the Quintillion...
What is the next date for FCC lets GCI buy Quintillion's Arctic subsea fiber?
November 19th, 19 days out. Thirty days from release, the window for petitions for reconsideration
Where is FCC lets GCI buy Quintillion's Arctic subsea fiber?
Nome
Has FCC lets GCI buy Quintillion's Arctic subsea fiber been decided?
It is decided. Added. Read today against the FCC's order DA 26-1124, released October 20th, including its conditions in Appendix A. Broadband Breakfast reported GCI's statement on...
What happens next with FCC lets GCI buy Quintillion's Arctic subsea fiber?
Thirty days from release, the window for petitions for reconsideration, November 19th, 19 days out.
What changed on FCC lets GCI buy Quintillion's Arctic subsea fiber?
Added. Read today against the FCC's order DA 26-1124, released October 20th, including its conditions in Appendix A. Broadband Breakfast reported GCI's statement on...
What kind of decision is FCC lets GCI buy Quintillion's Arctic subsea fiber?
A regulatory docket, decided by Federal Communications Commission, Office of International Affairs.
When did FCC lets GCI buy Quintillion's Arctic subsea fiber start?
Tracked since October 31st, today. The earliest date on its record is October 20th.
Where can I read the sources for FCC lets GCI buy Quintillion's Arctic subsea fiber?
FCC Office of International Affairs, DA 26-1124, Broadband Breakfast. Every one is listed with its date on the decision page.
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