Alaska’s largest telecommunications company, GCI, had announced that it will deliver 2 gigabit internet access to 77% of Alaskans in 2022 and aims to provide 10 gigabit speeds within the next five years. By doing so, GCI will be the first in Alaska and among the first in the country to make 2 gig internet access widely available to customers in continuing their commitment to expand and improve connectivity in Alaska.
According to a press release, GCI was among the first companies in the nation to make 1 gig service broadly available to customers when it launched 1 gigabit red service in Anchorage in 2015, dramatically improving customer speeds. The company expanded access to 1 gig service and reportedly 77% of Alaskans live within GCI’s 1 gig footprint.
GCI CEO Ron Duncan said, “When I started GCI more than 40 years ago, Alaska lagged far behind the rest of the nation in basic connectivity. Today I’m pleased to announce that when upgrades are complete in 2022, Alaska will lead the nation in 2 gig speeds. And it will be our turn, once again, to wait for the rest of the country to catch up.”
Communities in Alaska that currently have access to GCI’s 1 gig service will be the first to experience 2 gig service when it becomes available. Customers on GCI+ red plans will automatically be upgraded to 2 gig service at no additional cost. Kenai Peninsula communities that will have access to 2 gig speeds when the service launches next year include Homer, Kenai, Seward, Soldotna.
GCI President and COO Greg Chapados further pointed to the company’s commitment to investing in related broadband projects across the state and announced consideration of another major rural project – developing a business and technical plan to build fiber to Bethel in hopes to connecting customers there to eventually 10 gig speeds.
More information can be found here.