Design work begins on cable between Homer and Seward to improve broadband service
Published 4:30 am Thursday, August 13, 2026
Design work has started on a fiber optic cable between Homer and Seward that will extend high-speed broadband service.
Pioneer Consulting has engaged in the engineering and design phase for the Fiber Internet Serving Homes (FISH) West 2 submarine cable system project.
The full-service submarine fiber optic telecommunications consulting and project management company is currently under contract with Cordova Telecom Cooperative (CTC) to supervise the next phases of the cable system project which will connect Seward and Homer, with branching units to Seldovia, Port Graham, and Nanwalek.
FISH West 2 is approximately 211 miles in length and will help extend high-speed broadband service to remote communities lacking robust communications infrastructure. The submarine cable will also utilize the existing landing point in Seward, which is shared with the planned 183-mile FISH West network.
“[This] will connect Cordova and Seward, with branching units to Johnstone Point and the Village of Chenega,” Pioneer Consulting stated.
FISH West is expected to be ready for service by fall 2027.
The project is funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s ReConnect Program, which allows Pioneer Consulting to lay the groundwork by identifying ideal routes and landing locations, ensuring regulatory compliance and environmental considerations are met, and gathering market insights to help with design and procurement strategies.
Pioneer Consulting added that it has an extensive background working with the Alaskan telecommunications industry, and knows the requirements for planned submarine cable systems in the “last frontier” state.
The company has already supported two of CTC’s USDA-funded submarine cable systems — FISH West and FISH South.
CTC CEO Jeremiah Beckett said he is pleased to have Pioneer Consulting on board for their third project.
“Since Pioneer Consulting’s feasibility study helped secure our first subsea-related USDA grant in 2021, Philip deGuzman and his team have been trusted partners throughout our projects,” Beckett said. “Their proven track record made them the clear choice for FISH West 2 as we continue to provide reliable connectivity to rural Alaska.”
Austin Shields, lead project engineer and Pioneer Consulting director of client solutions, added that the company is delighted to continue its partnership with CTC on the FISH projects.
“With our in-house commercial and technical expertise, established relationship with the CTC team, and experience navigating the USDA application process, we were able to hit the ground running on FISH West 2 and quickly advance to next steps,” he said.
