GCI, Bristol Bay Telephone Co-op partner to bring better, more affordable connectivity to Southwest Alaska

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — GCI and the Bristol Bay Telephone Cooperative (BBTC) recently announced a partnership to improve internet and wireless service to residents and businesses in Southwest Alaska.

To bring these upgrades to the region, BBTC will build and maintain two new microwave radio links connecting Naknek to GCI's fiber optic cable in Levelock, along the Kvichak River. As part of the agreement, BBTC will receive dedicated internet capacity on GCI's fiber and GCI will receive capacity on BBTC's new microwave infrastructure. The project is expected to be complete this fall and allow BBTC to provide expanded internet offerings at lower prices to its members.

"GCI is proud to expand its decade-long relationship with BBTC so we can work together to bring better, more affordable service to Alaskans and help further close the digital divide," said Vice President of GCI Wholesale Business Krag Johnsen. "Improved connectivity in the region that's home to the world's largest sockeye salmon fishery is vital to the economic health not just of the communities BBTC serves, but of the entire state."

"BBTC and GCI have been working together for a long time, and this renewed partnership is a game changer for the communities we serve," said BBTC General Manager Earl Hubb. "Our new agreement with GCI will allow us to create new internet plans that are tailored to meet the needs of our customers in Bristol Bay. Together, BBTC and GCI will help families access improved broadband connectivity more affordably than ever before.'

BBTC provides internet, voice, and data services to more than 1,800 residents in eight Southwest Alaska communities, including: King Salmon, Naknek, South Naknek, Igiugig, Levelock, Ekwok, Koliganek, and New Stuyahok. The Bristol Bay region is also home to the largest sockeye salmon fishery in the world.

About GCI

Headquartered in Alaska, GCI provides data, mobile, video, voice and managed services to consumer, business, government, and carrier customers throughout Alaska, serving more than 200 communities. The company has invested more than $3 billion in its Alaska network and facilities over the past 40 years and recently launched true standards-based 5G NR service in Anchorage, now the nation's northernmost 5G service area. Learn more about GCI at www.gci.com. GCI is a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Broadband Corporation (Nasdaq: LBRDA, LBRDK, LBRDP). Learn more about Liberty Broadband at http://www.libertybroadband.com.