Alaska Communications (formerly Alaska Communications Systems or ACS) is a

telecommunications Telecommunication is the transmission of information by various types of technologies over wire, radio, optical, or other electromagnetic systems. It has its origin in the desire of humans for communication over a distance greater than tha ...

corporation headquartered in Anchorage, Alaska. It was the first telecommunications provider in the state of Alaska to maintain a third-generation wireless network and the only provider in Alaska that owned fully incorporated infrastructure for the major telecommunications platforms; wireless communications, Internet networking, and local and long-distance phone service. Alaska Communications wireline operations include advanced data networks and an underwater fiber optic system. The Alaska Communications wireless operations included a statewide 3G CDMA network, and coverage extended from the North Slope to Southeast Alaska.

History

The company was formed in 1998, when CenturyTel announced the sale of its Alaska operations (newly acquired from PacifiCorp) to local management and Fox Paine & Company. In 1999, Alaska Communications acquired Anchorage Telephone Utility from the Municipality of Anchorage. On February 3, 2014, Alaska Communications announced its purchase of TekMate. On December 4, 2014, GCI Wireless agreed to purchase the wireless assets of Alaska Communications for $300 million. The deal was completed in the first quarter of 2015. In July 2021, Alaska Communications was acquired by the Nasdaq-listed company ATN International Inc. for $343 million.

Current Projects

On May 25, 2017, Alaska Communications announced it will be offering Internet services via OneWeb. Alaska Communications has an agreement with Quintillion to use its submarine fiber optic cable to bring new services to some of Alaska's northernmost communities: Utqiaġvik, Nome, Kotzebue, Point Hope and Wainwright.

Business Technology Center

On June 9, 2016, Alaska Communications opened the Business Technology Center. The meeting space is open to community members, businesses, nonprofits and education organizations. It is located at 600 East 36th Ave, Anchorage, Alaska. BTC8292017

Community work

Alaska Communications supports United Way, Junior Achievement, the

University of Alaska The University of Alaska System is a system of public universities in the U.S. state of Alaska. It was created in 1917 and comprises three separately accredited universities on 19 campuses. The system serves nearly 30,000 full- and part-time stud ...

, 90% by 2020, and FIRST in Alaska. It also partners with Boys & Girls Clubs – Alaska to put on Summer of Heroes, a program which awards scholarships to youth who are engaged in community service.

References

External links

* {{US mobile phone companies Communications in Alaska Companies based in Anchorage, Alaska Companies formerly listed on the Nasdaq Telecommunications companies of the United States 1998 establishments in Alaska Telecommunications companies established in 1998 American companies established in 1998