Alaska has rather a lot to supply, together with rugged pure magnificence, nationwide parks, beautiful glaciers and contemporary seafood. However, the choices are restricted with regards to web choices out there to the state’s 730,000 residents. Whether it is fiber, fastened wi-fi, DSL or satellite tv for pc, you will need to make some compromises when selecting an web service supplier in Alaska. According to our CNET consultants, GCI is the highest decide for many within the state — if it is out there in your neighborhood.What is the perfect web supplier in Alaska?GCI is CNET’s decide for the perfect web service supplier in Alaska, because of high speeds of two.5 gigabits per second and the widest (and nonetheless rising) availability of any wired supplier within the state. If you are looking for the bottom costs round or the quickest blazing speeds, we have additionally discovered these high choices. One of the most affordable web plans in Alaska is obtainable by Alaska Communications that includes as much as 2,500Mbps beginning at $80 a month. Almost any selection of web supplier in Alaska will include some compromises, whether or not in velocity, worth or reliability. Rural residents usually have to decide on between satellite tv for pc, fastened wi-fi or DSL connections, with satellite tv for pc as the one viable possibility for some. While the broadband scene might sound slightly bleak, there are causes for optimism as over $1 billion in federal funding is pouring into the state to enhance web entry in underserved communities. Best web choices in Alaska in 2025Alaska web suppliers in contrast Provider Internet technologyMonthly worth rangeSpeed rangeMonthly tools costsData capContractCNET assessment ratingAlaska Communications Cable, Fiber$70-$185250-2,500Mbps Fiber; 10-75Mbps Cable (varies by location) NoneUnlimitedNone N/ABorealis Broadband Fixed wirelessVaries; $50 beginning worth 100-500Mbps (varies by location)None1TB2-yearsN/AGCI Cable$90-$190250-2,500MbpsNoneVaries2-yearsN/A Hughesnet Read full assessment Satellite$50-$95 ($75-$120 after 12 months)50-100Mbps (varies by location)$15-$20 or $300-$450 one-time buy 100-200GB2-years6SpitwSpots Fixed wi-fi$89-$199; $99-$249 (Plus)10-150Mbps; 18-300Mbps (Plus)$9NoneVariesN/A Starlink Read full assessment Low orbit satellite tv for pc$120; $50-$150 (Roam); $250-$5,000 (Boats)100-220Mbps$249 one-time buyUnlimited; 1TB-5TB (Priority)None N/A Viasat Read full assessment Satellite$10025-150Mbps$15 or $250 one-time buyUnlimitedMonthly6.1 Show extra (3 gadgets)
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Rural web choices in Alaska Provider Connection typePrice rangeSpeed rangeData capAvailabilityBorealis Broadband Fixed wirelessVaries; $50 beginning worth100-500Mbps (varies by location)1TBAnchorage, Eagle RiverBristol Bay Communications Group DSL$30-$2752Mbps-25MbpsNoneBristol Bay areaBush-Tell DSL$39-$229512Kbps-6MbpsVaries as much as 100GBGrayling, Holy Cross, Kalskag, Stony River areas Cordova Telecom Cooperative DSL$40-$1238-100MbpsVariesCordova areaMountain Beam Fixed wi-fi$30-$180 for 30-day period8-48MbpsNoneFairbanks areaMTA DSL$70-$180Varies250GB or unlimitedAnderson, Wasilla, Talkeetna, Palmer, Eagle RiverSpitwSpots Fixed wi-fi$89-$199; $99-$249 (Plus)10-150Mbps; 18-300Mbps (Plus)NoneAnchor Point, Soldotna and Fairbanks areas Show extra (3 gadgets)
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Source: CNET evaluation of supplier informationInternet breakdown by metropolis in AlaskaIt’s onerous to cowl the broadband choices of a complete state like Alaska and provides particular person cities the eye they deserve. That’s why we additionally compile lists of the perfect web suppliers throughout completely different cities in Alaska. We sort out particulars reminiscent of web connection sorts, most speeds, least expensive suppliers and extra. Check again later in the event you don’t discover the town you’re in search of beneath. We’re working so as to add extra places each week.
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Cheap web choices in AlaskaYou received’t discover discount basement costs on web service in Alaska. Many of the providers that are available in on a budget aspect within the contiguous 48 states aren’t out there on this northern state. That means no bundling bargains with the likes of 5G residence web service from Verizon 5G Home Internet or T-Mobile Home Internet. If your month-to-month web invoice is underneath $100 for an honest velocity stage, then you definately’re doing fairly effectively in Alaska. GCI and Alaska Communications have plans for underneath 100, however speeds will fluctuate based mostly on location and the kind of web connection.What’s the most affordable web plan in Alaska? Provider Starting priceMax obtain speedMonthly tools payment Viasat Unlimited Read full assessment $10075Mbps$15 a month or $250 one-time buy Hughesnet Select Plan Read full assessment $50 ($75 after 12 months)50Mbps$15 a month or $300-one time buyAlaska Communications Internet Now $70250MbpsNoneAlaska Communications Fiber 250 $85250MbpsNoneGCI Fast $100250MbpsNone Show extra (1 merchandise)
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Virsuziglis/Getty PhotographsAlaska broadband particulars at a lookMany rural Alaska ISPs have roots in long-time phone cooperatives which have developed to supply web providers. That’s why DSL is a typical possibility for these native firms. There are some drawbacks with legacy DSL networks, like slower high speeds than you’d get with cable or fiber. DSL will be serviceable when there are few different choices. FCC information means that 100% of residents can entry broadband speeds, outlined as at the very least 25Mbps down and 3Mbps up. That quantity contains the attain of satellite tv for pc web, which is not an important answer for everybody resulting from expense or lack of a transparent view of the sky. The story of fiber in Alaska is fairly slim in the meanwhile. The FCC exhibits solely about 10% of residents can entry fiber. If we have a look at gig speeds and better, that drops to only 7%. What little fiber entry there may be tends to be centered on extra populated areas. There are some sudden pockets of fiber. Local ISP Copper Valley Telecom providers Valdez, a metropolis of underneath 4,000 individuals, with speeds as much as 1,000Mbps. Fiber is all the time on the high of residence web want lists, however Alaska’s terrain and distant areas make it a difficult place to construct intensive fiber networks.How to seek out web offers and promotions in AlaskaThe finest web offers and high promotions in Alaska depend upon what reductions can be found throughout a given time. Most offers are short-lived, however we glance steadily for the most recent provides. Large suppliers run the identical commonplace pricing year-round in some components of the nation. The smaller and extra native suppliers in Alaska, reminiscent of GCI, don’t observe a sure timeline when altering their costs. For a extra intensive record of promos, try our information on the perfect web offers.How quick is Alaska’s broadband? When it involves residence web, Alaska is available in at 49 for Ookla’s This autumn 2023 Speedtest.web rating of web speeds for the 50 states (and Washington, DC). Alaska ranks on the backside of the record with a median obtain velocity of 119Mbps. The US general is at 262Mbps. That’s fairly a distinction. Ookla lists GCI as Alaska’s quickest supplier, with a decent median obtain velocity of 284Mbps. Fast web will be onerous to come back by within the Last Frontier. About 100% of Alaska houses can entry web speeds of at the very least 100Mbps, in line with the FCC. Move as much as 250Mbps, and that dips to 70%. If quick web is a should for you and also you’re transferring to Alaska, you’ll wish to do some homework about the place to land. Your finest guess for gig speeds will probably be within the greater cities. As of February 2025, Ookla reviews that Alaska has a median obtain velocity of 165Mbps for fastened web. Ookla city-level information confirmed Anchorage with a median fastened web obtain velocity of 250Mbps, Fairbanks was 258Mbps, and Juneau logged 272Mbps. Those numbers can change over time. With restricted choices, switching to a quicker supplier isn’t all the time possible. You can benefit from your web connection by following these steps to hurry up your Wi-Fi. Fastest web plans in Alaska Provider Starting priceMax obtain speedMax add speedData capConnection kindAlaska Communications Fiber 2500 $1852,500Mbps2,500MbpsNoneFiberGCI Red Unlimited $1902,500Mbps75MbpsNoneCableGCI Fastest $1651,000Mbps 40Mbps1TBCable Show extra (0 merchandise)
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What’s a great web velocity? Most web connection plans can now deal with fundamental productiveness and communication duties. If you are in search of an web plan that may accommodate videoconferencing, streaming video or gaming, you will have a greater expertise with a extra sturdy connection. Here’s an outline of the really useful minimal obtain speeds for numerous purposes, in line with the FCC. Note that these are solely pointers and that web velocity, service and efficiency fluctuate by connection kind, supplier and deal with.For extra info, seek advice from our information on how a lot web velocity you really want.0 to 5Mbps lets you sort out the fundamentals: looking the web, sending and receiving e-mail and streaming low-quality video.5 to 40Mbps offers you higher-quality video streaming and videoconferencing.40 to 100Mbps ought to give one person ample bandwidth to fulfill the calls for of contemporary telecommuting, video streaming and on-line gaming. 100 to 500Mbps permits one to 2 customers to concurrently have interaction in high-bandwidth actions like videoconferencing, streaming and on-line gaming. 500 to 1,000Mbps permits three or extra customers to interact in high-bandwidth actions on the identical time.How CNET selected the perfect web suppliers in AlaskaInternet service suppliers are quite a few and regional. Unlike the most recent smartphone, laptop computer, router or kitchen instrument, it is impractical to personally take a look at each web service supplier in a given metropolis. What’s our method? For starters, we faucet right into a proprietary database of pricing, availability and velocity info that attracts from our personal historic ISP information, associate information and mapping info from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov. It doesn’t finish there. We go to the FCC’s web site to verify our information and guarantee we take into account each ISP that gives service in an space. We additionally enter native addresses on supplier web sites to seek out particular choices for residents. We have a look at sources, together with the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power, to guage how blissful clients are with an ISP’s service. ISP plans and costs are topic to frequent modifications; all info offered is correct as of publication. Once now we have this localized info, we ask three major questions: Does the supplier provide entry to fairly quick web speeds? Do clients get first rate worth for what they’re paying? Are clients proud of their service? While the reply to these questions is commonly layered and complicated, the suppliers who come closest to “yes” on all three are those we suggest. When deciding on the most affordable web service, we search for the plans with the bottom month-to-month payment, though we additionally think about issues like worth will increase, tools charges and contracts. Choosing the quickest web service is comparatively simple. We have a look at marketed add and obtain speeds and take into account real-world velocity information from sources like Ookla and FCC reviews. (Ookla is owned by the identical guardian firm as CNET, Ziff Davis.)To discover our course of in additional depth, go to our how we take a look at ISPs web page.What’s the ultimate phrase on web suppliers in Alaska? Alaska poses a whole lot of challenges to the enlargement of high-speed and inexpensive broadband. The terrain will be unforgiving, the climate will be excessive and lots of communities are in distant areas. Fortunately, there was a give attention to broadband enlargement, particularly in these distant areas. Cordova Telecom Cooperative introduced in 2023 it might be putting in a submarine fiber optic cable from Cordova to Juneau to ship fiber to Pelican, Yakutat, Gustavus and Hoonah. The undertaking may take 5 years to finish. Alaska will even obtain $100 million in US Department of Agriculture funding to construct out fiber (and a few wi-fi) web within the Bethel, Yukon-Kuskokwim, Kusilvak and Hoonah-Angoon areas. GCI’s work to carry fiber-based wired connections to distant communities can also be notable. In December 2023, GCI related over 4-thousand Alaskans to entry speeds of as much as 2.5Gigs by means of its Aleutians Fiber Project. Regarding enhancing broadband, Alaska has nowhere to go however up.Residents can anticipate to select from a variety of DSL, satellite tv for pc and glued wi-fi plans. Although, choices are restricted in most distant areas, Alaskans sometimes have entry to satellite tv for pc suppliers like Starlink with plans beginning at $120 a month. GCI provides high speeds of two,500Mbps for $190 a month. Internet in Alaska FAQs
Does Alaska have good web?
According to broadband rankings, Alaska is on the backside for web speeds nationwide. Lack of entry in rural communities and restricted and costly plans make accessing “good,” inexpensive and quick web tough. Hefty federal funding is coming to the state to enhance broadband entry.
What is the most affordable web supplier in Alaska?
The least expensive web supplier in Alaska is Hughesnet with its choose plan which options 50Mbps at $50 a month for the primary 12 months.
Which web supplier in Alaska provides the quickest plan?
It relies upon. Answering this query begins with discovering out which ISPs service your deal with. You might discover you solely have entry to both GCI or Alaska Communications, making this a easy query to reply. GCI provides obtain speeds of as much as 2,500Mbps in most areas, placing GCI excessive for a lot of.
Is fiber web out there in Alaska?
Yes, however It all is dependent upon your location. Some areas solely have entry to DSL and satellite tv for pc connections. Alaska Communications is without doubt one of the few ISPs that supply fiber plan tiers.
What web supplier has the perfect protection in Alaska?
GCI has the perfect protection in Alaska. The FCC National Broadband Map exhibits GCI providers over 70% of Alaska households, making it essentially the most widespread wired ISP within the state. According to GCI’s information, the ISP reaches over 97% of residents.GCI’s protection space contains cities like Anchorage and Fairbanks, however the ISP additionally reaches smaller cities like Sitka and Nome. GCI is actively increasing its community of fiber-cable hybrid connections and fiber-to-the-premises providers.