AT&T Alascom
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Telecommunications |
| Predecessor | Alaska Communications System (ACS) |
| Founded | 1970 |
| Founder | RCA Corporation (as RCA Alascom) |
| Headquarters | Anchorage , United States |
Area served | Alaska |
| Products | Long-distance telephone services, satellite communications |
| Owner | AT&T Inc. |
| Parent | AT&T Inc. |
Alascom, Inc., which operates under the name AT&T Alaska, is a telecommunications firm based in Alaska, functioning primarily as an interexchange carrier (IXC). Currently fully owned by AT&T Inc., AT&T Alascom holds the distinction of being the first provider of long-distance telephone services within Alaska. Its network infrastructure comprises three dedicated communications satellites, a combination of undersea and land-based fiber-optic cables, along with several satellite earth stations.
Unlike most areas in the United States, AT&T did not offer local or long-distance services in Alaska until it acquired Alascom in 1995. Importantly, Alaska was never included within any Regional Bell Operating Company jurisdiction. Since 1979, the main competitors in Alaska’s long-distance telecommunications market have been Alascom and General Communications, Inc..
History
The origins of the company trace back to 1900 when the U.S. Congress authorized the Army Signal Corps to create the Washington-Alaska Military Cable and Telegraph System (WAMCATS). Over time, particularly during World War II, this system developed into what became known as the Alaska Communications System (ACS) and later the White Alice Communications System.
In 1970, RCA Corporation took ownership of ACS and renamed it RCA Alascom. RCA significantly enhanced Alaska’s telecommunications capabilities by applying its expertise in satellite technology.
In 1979, PacifiCorp acquired RCA Alascom via its subsidiary Pacific Telecom and rebranded the company as Alascom, Inc.. The firm deployed three satellites dedicated to serving Alaska’s communication needs: Aurora I in 1982, Aurora II in 1991, and Aurora III (which was later known as AMC-8) in 2000.
The original AT&T purchased Alascom in 1995 and adopted its present name. Regulatory conditions tied to this acquisition and SBC’s subsequent purchase of AT&T required that AT&T Alascom continue to operate as a separate corporate entity.
See also
References