Alaskan utility Alaska Power & Telephone Company (AP&T) has announced it will own a majority interest in SEALink Networks (SNI).

SNI is currently developing a cable landing station in Westport, Washington, and once operational will “serve multiple customers with significant capacity needs.”

The incoming subsea cables will replace aging cables used by AP&T and other carriers, providing Alaskan residents, businesses, and communities with high-quality and up-to-date services.

AP&T CEO Bill Marks said: "I joined AP&T with a strong belief about the quality and commitment of the AP&T board and employees and recognized the core competency of having the ability to permit, land, and power subsea cables as a result of the geography we have served in Southeast Alaska for almost 70 years.

“The demand for broadband and data services through fiber optic cables is growing exponentially, technologies are changing quickly, and the expectations of customers are accelerating. It has been a fast and exciting journey to work with our Board and AP&T leadership to envision and fill a significant void in the need to replace and enhance connectivity to ensure high-quality services for Alaska - and that commitment by AP&T led us to a tremendous opportunity to do what we do best for others who have this need now and in the future.”

SNI shares its name with AP&T’s two existing subsea cables; SEALink South subsea cable, launched in November, and SEALink, launched in 2023.

SEALink connects Coffman Cove, Lena Point, and Petersburg in Alaska, whilst SEALink South extends from Coffman Cove to Hollis and Ketchikan, also in Alaska.

Ketchikan is home to AP&T’s headquarters.

Whilst Oregon and California have landed several new subsea cables in recent years, reports say despite Washington being home to numerous subsea cables, the state has not received a new subsea cable for more than 20 years. The last cable to land in the state was in 1999.