Starlink Wi-Fi launched on an Alaska ferry ahead of $6.25M systemwide rollout

JUNEAU — Wireless internet has been installed on an Alaska ferry, the first step in a planned $6.25 million rollout of Wi-Fi across the fleet.

For over a decade, officials at the Alaska Marine Highway System have discussed installing Wi-Fi on state ferries. The goal has been for passengers to work online and connect with families and friends while sailing, and for students to do their homework as they travel for school activities.

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities on Thursday said it recently launched a Wi-Fi pilot project on the Columbia — the largest of Alaska’s nine ferries.

Wireless internet will be available ship-wide. More than 450 users connected to the Columbia’s Wi-Fi during its first week in operation, officials said.

”For passengers, especially those on multi-day voyages like the Bellingham run, Wi-Fi enables continuity in communication, and the ability to share the unique experiences of sailing Alaska’s National Scenic Byway in real time,” Transportation Commissioner Ryan Anderson said in a prepared statement.

Sam Dapcevich, a spokesman for the state transportation department, said that wireless internet access would initially be free on the Columbia. But ferries will eventually charge users for Wi-Fi, similar to purchasing an internet subscription on Alaska Airlines, he said.

Satellite internet — operated by Starlink — is already available on board Alaska ferries for crew and operations. But this extends Starlink Wi-Fi to passengers.

Dapcevich said outfitting the Columbia with Wi-Fi was estimated to cost around $400,000 in state funds.

Funding the systemwide rollout on Alaska ferries comes largely from federal grants. The total rollout cost is estimated at $5 million in federal dollars and $1.25 million from the state treasury.

Wireless internet was installed on the Columbia during a recent, extensive overhaul of the 51-year-old ferry.

Although Starlink systems are relatively inexpensive, Dapcevich told the Daily News in October that installing them on Alaska ferries is “a highly complex task.”

Wi-Fi signals don’t penetrate through multiple steel walls and floors, he said.

Installation costs on the Columbia included hardware to cope with “extreme icing and corrosive ocean conditions,” consultation with marine electricians and asbestos mitigation, he added.

“The project required running thousands of feet of cable, strategically placing 37 access points, during the vessel’s overhaul in the Ketchikan shipyard,” Dapcevich said in a statement.

Dapcevich on Thursday said Wi-Fi access is set to be installed on the Aurora and LeConte ferries within three to six months. The plan is to outfit the rest of the fleet with Wi-Fi within two years, he said.