GCI announces plans to double internet speeds for much of Alaska in the next year

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) -The pandemic has increased the need for large amounts of data transmission over the internet as people work, learn, and play online, more than ever before.

GCI announced that it’s one year away from doubling its fastest internet speed to 77% of Alaskans. Communities that currently have access to GCI’s 1 gig service will be the first to receive 2 gig service when it becomes available, including Fairbanks. Customers on GCI+ red plans will automatically be upgraded to 2 gig service, doubling their current speeds. Heather Handyside, GCI Chief Communications Officer elaborated.

“The communities that we’re able to turn up 2 gig speeds for are those who are on our fiber network currently, or who will be in the near future. So those are communities mostly along the road system, Kodiak is also connected by fiber, many of the southeast communities are connected to our fiber that goes down to the lower 48.”

GCI is committed to expanding and improving connectivity in Alaska, and on track to provide 10 gig speeds in the next five years. The Alaska communities that will have access to 2 gig speeds when the service launches next year include: Anchorage, Eagle River, Girdwood, Fairbanks, Fort Greely, Homer, Juneau, Kenai, Ketchikan, Kodiak, North Pole, Palmer, Petersburg, Seward, Soldotna, Sitka, Valdez, Wasilla and Wrangell.

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