Year |
Event |
|
1876
|
Invention of telephone
|
|
1904
|
Completion of WAMCATS, includes first use of wireless radio
|
|
1935
|
WAMCATS becomes Alaska Communications System (ACS)
|
|
1941-45
|
ACS expands; introduction of telephone switchboards
|
|
1950s |
U.S. military builds White Alice Communications System (WACS)
|
|
1952 |
Operator-assisted long distance calls begin
|
|
1959 |
Alaska becomes 49th state in Union
|
|
1962 |
U.S. Air Force takes over ACS from Army
|
|
1969 |
First live TV via satellite in Alaska
|
|
1971 |
RCA Corporation purchases ACS, which becomes RCA Alascom
|
|
1972 |
Direct Distance Dialing (DDD) begins in Anchorage and Fairbanks
|
|
1973 |
Alascom provides regular scheduled live TV throughout the state via satellite
|
|
1974 |
Alascom wins contract to provide Trans Alaska Pipeline System communications
|
|
1975 |
Rural earth station construction begins
|
|
1976 |
Creation of Alaska area code 907
|
|
1978 |
Satellite in rural Alaska begins; live TV available to 90% of Alaskans
|
|
1979 |
Shishmaref becomes Alascom's 101st small earth station site; Pacific Power & Light purchases RCA Alascom
|
|
1980 |
Alascom handles worldwide emergency communications for the Cruise Ship Prinsendam disaster in Gulf of Alaska
|
|
1981 |
Alascom broadcasts live worldwide coverage of Pope John Paul II's visit to Anchorage
|
|
1982 |
Aurora I, Alascom's own satellite launches; interstate telephone competition begins
|
|
1983 |
Completion of Alaska Interstate Microwave System; international telecommunications experts inspect Alascom "model" system
|
|
1984 |
Alascom televises Pope John Paul II's meeting with President Ronald Reagan live from Fairbanks; direct dial overseas calls available in Alaska, offering substantial savings; Alascom calling cards available, valid internationally
|
|
1985 |
Alascom develops rapid deployment transportable earth stations; in-state, toll-free service available
|
|
1986 |
Alascom televises Anchorage's bid for the 1992 Olympics live from Switzerland and Iditarod winner Susan Butcher live to nation; interstate equal access begins
|
|
1987 |
Alascom connects 65 million calls (compared to 5 million in 1971); Alascom links sister schools in Australia and Alaska via computer and begins service to Red Dog Mine
|
|
1988 |
Alascom provides live coverage of Alaska-Soviet border opening, Barrow whale rescue, and Anchorage's bid for 1994 Winter Olympics
|
|
1989 |
Alascom introduces digital switching; handles mobile and expanded communications for Valdez oil spill; televises Bering Bridge Expedition border crossing between U.S.S.R. and U.S.; provides telecommunications support to American troops for Operation Just Cause in Panama; MagAlascom, joint venture with Magadan Phone Company begins; installation of first direct telecommunications link across the Bering Sea from Alascom to Provideniya
|
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1990 |
Alascom sends rapid deployment earth stations to assist in Operation Desert Shield in Saudi Arabia
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1991 |
Aurora II, Alascom's second satellite launches; completion of North Pacific undersea fiber optic cable linking Alaska to the Lower 48; Alascom provides support to troops during Operation Desert Storm; Intrastate Interexchange Competition and Equal Access begins; first operator services exchange with Russia
|
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1992 |
Anchorage Network Control Center (ANCC) opens; deployment of transportable earth station to provide telecommunications services during hurricanes Andrew and Iniki; KamAlascom, joint venture with Kamchatka Phone Company begins
|
|
1995 |
Building and deployment of earth station in Antarctica for U.S. Navy; AT&T purchases Alascom; deployment of DAMA (Demand Assigned Multiple Access) technology in rural Alaska
|
|
1996 |
Completion of 13th 4ESS switch in AT&T's worldwide network in Alaska; 1 800 CALL ATT available in Alaska; Telecommunications Act passes; AT&T Alascom provides communications services to support relief efforts during Miller's Reach Fire in Big Lake, Alaska; AT&T Trivestiture - splits parent company into three independent companies (AT&T, NCR & Lucent)
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1997 |
AT&T Alascom delivers live two-way video from Alaska Federation of Natives Convention in Anchorage to Washington, D.C. for the Yup'ik Mask exhibit at the Smithsonian; AT&T Alascom offers local service to Anchorage residents; AT&T Worldnet Service introduced in Alaska
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2000 |
Aurora III, AT&T Alascom's third satellite launches; local number portability available in Anchorage
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2001 |
Online billing available
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2002 |
AT&T Alascom provides satellite infrastructure for interactive instructional video, interconnecting six schools within the Aleutians East Borough School District, providing the first operational video network in Alaska using federal funding
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2005 |
AT&T Alascom introduces WiMAX to test communities throughout Alaska; rural broadband initiative brings high-speed service to communities throughout the state; SBC Communications Inc. purchases AT&T, Corp., making Alascom part of the new AT&T, the largest telecommunications company in the U.S. and one of the largest in the world
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