What are sun outages?
A sun outage, or sun fade, happens when a satellite passes directly between the earth and the sun, interrupting satellite signals for several minutes at a time. This affects satellite-provided services, including mobile and internet services. Sun outages happen semi-annually, around the last week of February and the first week of October each year. The disruption generally does not last longer than about 15 minutes a day for several consecutive days.
When is the next sun outage period?
Sun outages typically happen twice a year in Alaska — once in the spring and once in the fall. Beginning Oct. 9, 2026, and ending Oct. 16, 2026, customers in satellite-served communities will experience service interruptions. The interruptions may occur on several consecutive days during this period and may last up to 15 minutes between 11:15 am and noon. Some communities may also be affected again for up to 15 minutes between 3:45 and 4:30 p.m. AKT.
The following communities may be affected:
| Akhiok | Fort Yukon | Nikolski | St. George |
| Akutan | Gambell | Noatak | St. Mary's |
| Ambler | Golovin | Nome | St. Paul |
| Anaktuvuk Pass | Hooper Bay | Nuiqsut | Stebbins |
| Aniak | Huslia | Old Harbor | Stony River |
| Atka | Iliamna | Ouzinkie | Takotna |
| Atqasuk | Karluk | Point Hope | Teller |
| Beaver | Kiana | Point Lay | Tokiak |
| Brevig Mission | King Cove | Port Heiden | Toksook Bay |
| Buckland | King Salmon | Port Lions | Unalakleet |
| Cold Bay | Kivalina | Sand Point | Utqiagvik |
| Cordova | Kobuk | Savoonga | Wainwright |
| Crooked Creek | Kotlik | Selawik | Wales |
| Deering | Kotzebue | Shaktoolik | Warehouse |
| Egegik | Koyuk | Shishmaref | White Mountain |
| Elim | Levelock | Shungnak | Yakataga |
| Emmonak | McGrath | Sleetmute | Yakutat |
When was the last sun outage period?
From Feb. 24 to March 5, 2026 customers in satellite-served communities experienced service interruptions.