For many, the Arctic’s harsh environment, remoteness, and sparse population are what make it so unique and beautiful. But these same qualities also make establishing reliable and fast telecommunications infrastructure in the region extremely difficult – particularly with regard to the North American Arctic. Indeed, these conditions make the installation of any telecommunications system, much less one with modern dependability and speed, an arduous undertaking. Yet connectivity is a necessity in the modern age and demands in the High North are only increasing. For example, governments and industry are seeking to expand services and operations northward as climate change opens up the once ice-locked region. In turn, locals aspire to interact with and take advantage of the opportunities of the wider world. Regardless of whether one appreciates or opposes the pace and forces behind northern development, Arctic telecommunications infrastructure – whether supplying basic services or facilitating personal and economic ambitions – is inadequate for both current and future demand.