Docomo Pacific receives FCC approval for fiber-optic cable system

After amending its application in February, Docomo Pacific received Federal Communication Commission approval for the ATISA submarine fiber-optic cable system landing license, the company announced.

The $16 million cable system, connecting Guam, Saipan Rota, and Tinian, will launch in June, according to a press release.

The ATISA system will extend approximately 173 miles and have a maximum capacity of 4.8 terabits per second, with an initial capacity of 200 gigabits per second at launch. ATISA is projected to deliver internet connectivity speed over 60 megabits per second, more than 200 cable TV channels, video-on-demand, pay-per-view and fixed line telephone service.

According to the FCC license application, Docomo Pacific will operate the ATISA system on a non-common carrier basis, which “will provide much needed competition on the Guam-CNMI route, and support the launch of access to bandwidth intensive services, support new economic activity in the CNMI economy, and provide more competitively priced, high speed connectivity that will benefit consumers.”

The vessel laying ATISA cable will arrive on Guam in the next few weeks, while progress on new cable landing stations continues in Rota and Tinian, the news release stated.

“Receiving FCC approval brings us one step closer to launching a project that is much more than a commercial venture. ATISA will enable the Marianas to truly connect to the things that matter most,” Jonathan Kriegel, Docomo Pacific president and CEO, said in the release.  “For businesses with roots in the CNMI, we will deliver a suite of enterprise solutions created to support your growth and development using secure and reliable connectivity. We look forward to offering consumers and businesses in the CNMI a choice in their telecommunications and entertainment services."

Pacific Daily News