GCI
Alaska's largest internet provider: speeds up to 2.5 Gbps in GCI+ markets, unlimited data on the 2.5 Gig plan or with GCI+, and a free mobile line for a year.
GCI plans at a glance
Our verdict
GCI is Alaska's main cable and wireless provider. In GCI+ markets, from Anchorage and Fairbanks to Juneau, Kodiak, Nome and Bethel, home internet runs from 250 Mbps for $89.99 to 2.5 Gbps for $189.99. Only the 2.5 Gig plan has unlimited data on its own; GCI+ bundles unlock unlimited data on 500 Mbps and up.
The GCI+ bundle adds a free unlimited mobile line for a year, free installation and equipment, Plume whole-home WiFi, and Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards points on your bill. Unusually, GCI's deals apply to existing customers as well as new ones.
Uploads are the weak spot at 10 to 75 Mbps, and standalone plans cap data: 250 GB on the $89.99 Fast plan (extra data $10 per 10 GB), 800 GB on Faster and 1 TB on Fastest. In rural Alaska outside GCI's cable network, compare Starlink, which has dropped its prices.
Already have GCI? Run our free speed test on a wired computer to see whether you get the speed you pay for, and see which speed test to use if results don't match.
Jean founded ShopHighSpeed after trying to find one straight answer about business internet in his own town. He has been a Comcast and Verizon Fios customer, and ranks providers on what they actually deliver, not on what they advertise.
Frequently asked
How fast is GCI?
GCI+ tiers are 250 Mbps (10 up), 500 Mbps (20 up), 1 Gig (40 up) and 2.5 Gbps (75 up) in Anchorage-area markets. Speeds vary in rural communities.
Does GCI have data caps?
On standalone plans, yes: Fast (250 Mbps, $89.99) includes 250 GB, Faster (500 Mbps, $124.99) 800 GB and Fastest (1 Gig, $149.99) 1 TB. red Unlimited (2.5 Gbps, $189.99) has no cap, and GCI+ bundles unlock unlimited data on 500 Mbps and up. Past your allowance, speed drops or you buy more data.
Why is GCI more expensive?
Alaska's distance from the lower 48, its terrain and its small, spread-out population make building and running networks costly. Many villages are served by towers flown in by helicopter.
Is GCI available in my area?
GCI serves Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, Mat-Su, Kenai/Soldotna, Ketchikan, Kodiak, Sitka, Homer, Nome, Bethel, Utqiagvik, Kotzebue, Valdez and many villages. Check your address for plans.
Is there a contract or early termination fee?
No. GCI's Broadband Facts labels list no contract and no early termination fee on Fast, Faster, Fastest or red Unlimited. Device financing (for example the free Apple TV) does carry a 24-month balance.
What happens if I use all my data?
On Fast, Faster and Fastest, you can keep using the internet at a reduced speed or buy more: $10 per 10 GB on Fast, per 40 GB on Faster and per 75 GB on Fastest. red Unlimited and GCI+ Unlimited plans have no allowance.
How do I test my GCI speed properly?
Plug a computer into the GCI modem with a Cat 6 Ethernet cable and run GCI's speed test, or use the AK-Fi app. WiFi and older devices test lower. GCI's typical speeds are measured at peak time, 5–11 p.m.
What fees does GCI charge?
$2.99/mo for a paper bill, $30 for a returned check and $120 for equipment you don't return. Taxes vary by location.
How GCI+ works
GCI+ bundles internet with one unlimited mobile line. The "free" line is a $10/mo discount on your first 12 bills ($120 in total); USF and E911 fees still apply, and after a year the line bills at the regular rate. The bundle also unlocks unlimited data on 500 Mbps and faster, which is worth more than the phone credit if you stream a lot.
The free Apple TV 4K is a 24-month device financing agreement discounted to $0. Cancel internet before 24 months and the remaining balance is due. GCI charges $120 for unreturned equipment.
What it costs over two years
Weighing AT&T Internet Air too? See GCI vs. AT&T vs. Alaska Communications.
Monthly price × 24, before taxes, compared with Alaska Communications where its fiber reaches.
| Speed | GCI (standalone) | Alaska Communications |
|---|---|---|
| 250 Mbps | $2,159.76 (250 GB/mo) | $1,919.76 (unlimited, 24-month term) |
| 500 Mbps | $2,999.76 (800 GB/mo) | $2,399.76 (unlimited, 500 up) |
| 1 Gig | $3,599.76 (1 TB/mo) | $3,599.76 (unlimited) |
| 2.5 Gig | $4,559.76 (unlimited) | $4,199.76 (unlimited) |
Going over your data allowance adds $10 per bucket, or your speed drops until the next bill. A household that streams in 4K can pass 250 GB in a couple of weeks; see data caps explained.
Rural Alaska
Outside GCI's cable and Fiber+ markets, many villages get very different plans: lower speeds, small data allowances and higher prices, because traffic travels over satellite and microwave links. Subsea fiber breaks (near Unalaska in December 2025, Juneau in March 2025) can slow service for weeks. Compare Starlink if your address only qualifies for a rural plan. See why GCI internet is slow for fixes.
About GCI
GCI is Alaska's largest internet provider, selling home internet up to 2.5 Gbps alongside mobile service. Standalone plans run $89.99 to $189.99 a month and carry a data cap (250 GB to 1 TB) except on the 2.5 Gig plan. In Anchorage, Soldotna and Fairbanks, Alaska Communications sells fiber with no data caps.
Sources
- Plan pages and Broadband Facts labels from GCI (gci.com/internet, checked Oct 9, 2026), Starlink Residential, Viasat and Alaska Communications
Prices and offers change often; confirm at your address before you order. How we research
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