GCI expands LTE footprint in Southwest Alaska

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — With upgrades recently completed on four Southwest Alaska wireless sites, GCI has expanded its LTE footprint in the region. These newly upgraded sites bring improved voice service, faster mobile data speeds, and more wireless capacity to GCI customers throughout Dillingham and Aleknagik.

In the next phase of GCI's LTE expansion in Southwest Alaska, the company plans to bring faster mobile speeds to Manokotak and Clark's Point in the coming months.

"We are delighted to expand GCI's LTE wireless service in Dillingham and bring it, for the first time, to Aleknagik. These network improvements are already making a difference in one of our state's most important economic hubs," said Juliana Wayman, senior director of GCI Regulatory Affairs. "Expanding access to LTE wireless service in the Bristol Bay region is a shining example of GCI's continued commitment to rural Alaska and to closing the digital divide throughout the state."

These upgrades are part of an effort to improve connectivity in 17 rural Alaska communities through GCI's 2021 Alaska Plan buildout. Federal funding from the Alaska Plan helps GCI invest in the technology and infrastructure necessary to connect some of the smallest and most remote communities in the nation.

"As we've all experienced in the past year, access to reliable connectivity is more important than ever, especially for those who live in rural Alaska," Wayman said. "Through GCI's Alaska Plan projects, more Alaskans can stay connected in their homes and on-the-go with wireless devices. Better connectivity means more opportunities for small businesses, access to healthcare and education, and more ways to keep in touch with friends and family."

The Alaska Plan, adopted by the FCC in August 2016, provides federal funds to Alaska's telecommunications providers in order to support investment in rural wireless and internet service upgrades. Federal funding helps make rural investment and maintenance possible in extremely remote, costly and difficult-to-serve communities. GCI, along with other Alaska providers, receives a portion of Alaska Plan funding each year.

For more information about GCI's Alaska Plan investment, visit: https://www.gci.com/about/alaska-plan.

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.