Marine survey mapping of the underwater route is complete, permits are being gathered and the mix of public and private funding is in place for a fiber-optic cable to Kodiak Island, Ik Icard of the Kodiak Kenai Cable Company (KKCC) told a Kodiak Chamber of Commerce forum Thursday.

Placing the fiber-optic cable should begin this summer and service is expected to be ready in Kodiak by the end of 2005, Icard said.

The $42.5 million communication upgrade over current satellite technology will support economic development, education, telemedicine, marketing and research. It will also support activities at the Coast Guard Base and the Kodiak Launch Complex. Story Continues