Juneau, Alaska (KINY) – Goldbelt, Inc., in partnership with Royal Caribbean Group, has announced a new community-based program to bring free high-speed Starlink internet to downtown Juneau. The initiative aims to improve internet access for local residents, businesses, and cruise ship guests.
Starting this week, installation of the new service will begin at the Goldbelt Tram Lower Terminal and gradually extend north along Franklin Street. The pilot program is expected to be fully operational in the coming weeks.
McHugh Pierre, President and CEO of Goldbelt, Inc., joined KINY to discuss the new Starlink Service “Well, you know, first and foremost, Goldbelt as a local, native corporation takes complaints from our neighbors and friends and family members very seriously. And I noticed a personal slowdown on internet at home, you know, when we have big ships in, and so we’re trying to figure out a way to help provide a solution that was immediate, because a lot of the proposed solutions are more long term fixes, and they take a big capital investment.” Pierre said.
Royal Caribbean Group, the first in the cruise industry to adopt Starlink technology in 2022, is deploying this high-speed, low-latency internet service for Juneau residents in hopes of enhancing the digital experience for visitors and locals alike. The system is designed to maximize coverage and allow users to stay connected as they move through downtown.
The pilot program will be closely monitored to assess its effectiveness. Feedback from local businesses and their patrons will play an important role in determining the potential expansion of the initiative to other destinations in the future.
