...1991 - Present

The Broadband Expansion: Island Network Considers Islands-Wide Service

2011- 2012:  OPALCO began to study expanding its fiber infrastructure to provide broadband (high-speed Internet) services to its members.

Island Network Spreads into Town Centers

The fiber infrastructure expanded into Eastsound and Lopez Village areas for greater business access to Island Network services.

Island Network Beefs-Up Back-Up, Signs on Medical Clinics

OPALCO built its own redundant microwave backup system covering Friday Harbor, Eastsound, and Bellingham for its fiber infrastructure. Medical centers on Lopez and Orcas Islands subscribed to Island … Read More

Island Network Expands to Serve Selected Large Users

OPALCO began providing Island Network Internet services and advanced Ethernet services to a limited number of public organizations and targeted businesses.  San Juan County subscribed to the first … Read More

Island Network Goes Live

The fiber connection to OPALCO’s Eastsound office was completed, and OPALCO began transporting all data traffic over its own fiber-optic system.  Installations at the Washington State Ferry terminals, … Read More

“Island Network” Internet Service Pilot Project Launched

The Board approved the Island Network / Friday Harbor Intranet Pilot.  A microwave link was installed connecting Friday Harbor to Lopez.  In 2004, a grant from the San … Read More

First Fiber Optic Cable Laid from Anacortes to Islands

The Board approved a new communication system for OPALCO using fiber optics.  BPA laid a new cable between Anacortes and Lopez Island and signed a 30-year agreement with … Read More