Fiber optic cut causes widespread internet and phone outages in Western and Northwest Alaska.

Several North Slope and Northwest Alaska communities are experiencing internet and cell service interruptions due to a cut to the subsea fiber optic network, which might take up to two months to repair. Telecommunications service providers are looking for short-term solutions to bring service back online. Quintillion, which provides broadband connectivity in Arctic Alaska, experienced a subsea fiber cut about 34 miles north of Oliktok Point, offshore from Utqiagvik, causing a systemwide outage affecting several communities. Repair crews need to wait until the ice breaks up around Oliktok Point, which is expected to happen at the end of June or early July.