Crews are building local fiber-to-the-premises networks in Chignik Lake, Chignik Lagoon, Perryville and False Pass
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The Aleutians Fiber Project is entering the final stretch with work underway in Chignik Lake, Chignik Lagoon, Perryville and False Pass. These communities are four of the project’s remaining five left to gain access to 2.5 gig consumer internet speeds through GCI’s fiber-optic infrastructure. Once work is complete and service is launched, each community served by the Aleutians Fiber Project will have access to GCI’s urban level internet speeds, plans and pricing.
Crews are on the ground in each of the four communities deploying local fiber networks that will connect homes and businesses to GCI’s more than 13,000-mile fiber-optic backbone.
GCI expects to launch fiber service in Chignik Lake, Chignik Lagoon, Perryville and False Pass by early 2026.
“It’s inspiring to see our crews on the ground working to bring world-class connectivity to some of Alaska’s most remote communities,” said Senior Staff Program Manager Nikki LaTona. “Completing multiple local network buildouts simultaneously in rural Alaska, each with its own unique geography and logistical hurdles, is a complex undertaking, but our team continues to rise to the occasion. Every foot of fiber deployed is a step closer to closing the digital divide in the region and delivering on the promise we made to those who call these communities home.”
GCI expects to launch fiber service in Chignik Lake, Chignik Lagoon, Perryville and False Pass by early 2026. Eight communities, including: Akutan, Chignik Bay, King Cove, Larsen Bay, Port Lions, Ouzinkie, Sand Point and Unalaska now have access to 2.5 gig residential internet speeds through the Aleutians Fiber Project. Work in Cold Bay, the final Aleutians Fiber Project community, will be complete next year.
“As someone who grew up in rural Alaska, I know how transformative reliable connectivity can be for a community, and it’s exciting to see this transformation unfold in real time,” said GCI Rural Affairs Senior Director Jenifer Nelson. “It’s a powerful reminder that we’re not just installing cables, we’re investing in a future for rural Alaska where geography no longer defines access. This isn’t just about connecting places, it’s about connecting people.”
Being mindful of local communities’ customs, culture and priorities when building out the Aleutians Fiber project, GCI has retained cultural monitors through Area M Consulting. The cultural monitor team will monitor construction and record and identify any unexpected and uncovered historical sites.
The Aleutians Fiber Project, when completed, will bring fiber connectivity and urban internet service to 13 communities on Kodiak Island, the Alaska Peninsula, and the south side of the Aleutian Chain. It was funded through generous grants by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development ReConnect and Community Connect programs, as well as more than $50 million in private funding by GCI.
For more information on GCI’s Aleutians Fiber Project, visit https://www.gci.com/aleutianfiberproject.
About GCI
Headquartered in Alaska, GCI provides data, mobile, voice and managed services to consumer, business, government, and carrier customers throughout Alaska, serving more than 200 communities. The company has invested $4.7 billion in its Alaska network and facilities over the past 45 years. Through a combination of ambitious network initiatives, GCI continues to expand and strengthen its statewide network infrastructure to deliver the best possible connectivity to its customers and close the digital divide in Alaska. Learn more about GCI at www.gci.com. GCI is an independent publicly traded company (Nasdaq: GLIBA, GLIBK, GLIBB) Learn more at https://www.gciliberty.com/.
Media Contact
Josh Edge
Phone: 907-575-3622
Email: jedge@gci.com
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