Network congestion is becoming a problem in downtown Juneau as the number of cruise ship passengers increases.
To combat this growing issue, the Royal Caribbean Group (RCL) and Alaska Native Corporation Goldbelt announced they are working together to make Starlink available in the Alaskan capital.
Goldbelt President and CEO McHugh Pierre noted, “The number one complaint from this summer was a slow-down of internet speed during busy days downtown.”
Royal Caribbean‘s Associate Vice President, West Coast Destination Preston Carnahan explained how their collaboration with Goldbelt addresses the problem.
| “Our new pilot program aims to alleviate internet congestion and provide additional bandwidth for locals while providing internet connectivity for our guests from ship to shore,” Carnahan added. |
Installation work already began last week encompassing the Goldbelt Tram Lower Terminal up to Franklin Street’s northern region. Residents and passengers will experience its full range in the next few weeks.
Users can gain access to the satellite-powered internet by logging onto the networks of participating businesses in the downtown area.
Other Initiatives Underway
RCG and Goldbelt aren’t the only ones working on improving local internet access.
Last week, Alaska-based telecommunications corporation GCI shared that it was rolling out network capacity upgrades.
Meanwhile, the City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ) is investing $1 million from marine passenger fees to make free Wi-Fi available in Juneau’s commercial district.
AT&T also revealed last May that it intends to spend almost $250 million on local network infrastructure from 2019 to 2023. Alaska Communications likewise said that it will provide wireless services through fixed infrastructure by the end of 2024.
Among these, the Starlink network will be the first to become available.
The SpaceX technology is already widely used onboard the vessels of major cruise lines, including MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, and Holland America Line. Royal Caribbean was one of the first cruise operators to install Starlink when it announced its plans for fleetwide deployment in 2022.
From April to October last year, Juneau recorded a 74% increase in visitors compared to the previous decade. To help manage incoming crowds, the city established cruise ship passenger limits for 2026.
