Alaska Communications
| Company type | Public (formerly) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Telecommunications |
| Founded | 1998 |
| Headquarters | Anchorage , United States |
Area served | Alaska |
| Products | Wireless, Internet networking, local and long-distance telephone services |
| Parent | ATN International Inc. |
Alaska Communications (previously known as Alaska Communications Systems or ACS) is a telecommunications provider based in Anchorage, Alaska. It was the pioneer in Alaska to deploy a third-generation wireless network and remains unique in owning a fully integrated infrastructure encompassing wireless, Internet networking, as well as local and long-distance telephone services. Its wireline segment operates sophisticated data networks alongside an underwater fiber optic cable system, while its wireless division operated a statewide 3G CDMA network extending from the North Slope down to Southeast Alaska.
History
Established in 1998 after CenturyTel divested its Alaska operations—originally acquired from PacifiCorp—to local executives and Fox Paine & Company, Alaska Communications grew through the acquisition of Anchorage Telephone Utility from the Municipality of Anchorage in 1999.
On February 3, 2014, the company acquired TekMate. Later that year, on December 4, 2014, GCI Wireless reached an agreement to purchase Alaska Communications’ wireless division for $300 million, with the deal finalizing in early 2015.
In July 2021, Nasdaq-listed ATN International Inc. completed the acquisition of Alaska Communications for $343 million.
Current Projects
On May 25, 2017, Alaska Communications revealed plans to provide Internet connectivity through OneWeb.
Additionally, the company has partnered with Quintillion to leverage its submarine fiber optic cable, enabling delivery of enhanced services to remote northern Alaskan communities such as Utqiaġvik, Nome, Kotzebue, Point Hope, and Wainwright.
Community work
Alaska Communications actively supports organizations including United Way, Junior Achievement, the University of Alaska, and FIRST in Alaska. The company also collaborates with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Southcentral Alaska to administer Summer of Heroes, a scholarship initiative honoring young individuals committed to community service.