GCI Communication

GCI Communication Corp (GCI) is a telecommunications corporation operating in Alaska. Through its own facilities and agreements with other providers, GCI provides Internet access, landline, and cellular telephone service. It is a subsidiary of GCI Liberty, Inc.

GCI was founded in 1979 by Ron Duncan and Bob Walp. On November 10, 2005, the company reported third-quarter profits of $2.3 million, down from $9.3 million during the same three months of 2004.

In November 2024, Liberty Broadband announced that GCI would be spun off to its shareholders, as part of plans for the parent company to be acquired by Charter Communications. GCI was spun-off as a wholly owned subsidiary of a new holding company called GCI Liberty, Inc. in July 2025.

GCI formerly provided cable television service to approximately three-quarters of Alaska residents. GCI upgraded most of its network to support digital cable broadcasts and provided high-definition broadcasts in some of the state's larger cities. GCI leased an array of analog and digital cable boxes, including HD and DVR digital cable boxes, to its customers. In 2008, GCI discontinued analog cable service to Anchorage residences, moving to a fully digital platform.

GCI launched Yukon TV, a OTT streaming service, in November 2020, which required a customer to subscribe to GCI's internet service. In December 2021, GCI announced that it would discontinue cable TV service in the majority of its markets, including all urban markets, in favor of Yukon TV. It would continue to provide cable service in some rural Alaskan communities, including Bethel and Dillingham, which are not connected to GCI's fiber network.

GCI also provided content to the state-operated Alaska Rural Communications Service satellite system, which in turn provided free over-the-air broadcasts of commercial and public television programs to 235 rural Alaskan communities.

On November 9, 2012, GCI announced plans to purchase KTVA, a CBS-affiliated television station in Anchorage, along with KATH-LD and KSCT-LP, the NBC-affiliated stations in Southeast Alaska. On December 9, 2013, GCI filed to acquire the CBS affiliates in Southeast Alaska—KXLJ-LD in Juneau, KTNL-TV in Sitka, and KUBD in Ketchikan. On July 31, 2020, GCI announced its intent to exit the television business and sold the non-license assets of KTVA to Gray Television.

In November 2024, GCI announced that it would discontinue all television services by mid-2025, citing that customers "increasingly choose online video streaming as their preferred way to watch their favorite programming". GCI will direct customers to other platforms, particularly Xumo.