ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Sept. 16, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Today General
Communication, Inc. ("GCI") (NASDAQ: GNCMA) Alaska's fastest Internet provider, announced
the launch of the state's only 1-gigabit-per-second Internet
service, called 1 GIG red.
"Today we're proud to begin the launch of 1 GIG
red in Anchorage
while many major Lower 48 cities like Los
Angeles, Boston, and
Washington D.C. wait for
comparable 1-gigabit service," said GCI president and CEO
Ron Duncan. "With 1 GIG
red, we're quadrupling Internet speeds for our
red customers and propelling Alaska to the forefront of technology, all
without any increase in our red customers'
bills."
Duncan was joined by Anchorage
Mayor Ethan Berkowitz at a GCI event
today celebrating the launch of 1 GIG red in
Anchorage. GCI will be launching 1
GIG red across its entire Anchorage cable modem system, in contrast to
other telecommunications companies that only deliver top speeds to
selected neighborhoods. Even in a city that presents unique
climate, topographical and numerous other challenges and covers a
footprint larger than the entire state of Rhode Island, GCI is committed to ensuring
that virtually all of its Anchorage cable modem customers will have
access to 1 GIG red by the end of this year.
"Having 1-gigabit Internet, from a homegrown company, is a real
asset for our city. A safe, secure, strong Anchorage includes innovative, industry
leading technology and communication capabilities," said Berkowitz.
"With 1 GIG, Anchorage graduates
to a new class that can support tech-savvy organizations and
individuals."
GCI 1 GIG red speeds are up to 100 times faster
than the current national average. With 1 GIG red,
customers will be able to download a 25-song playlist in less than
a second, a console game in 33 seconds and an HD movie in less than
30 seconds.
As 1 GIG red begins to launch in Anchorage, today GCI is also upgrading all
other red Internet markets in Alaska – the Mat-Su, Juneau, Fairbanks, Kenai/Soldotna, Sitka and Ketchikan – to speeds up to 500 Mbps from the
current red speeds of up to 250 Mbps, previously the
fastest Internet service available in Alaska. GCI plans to bring 1 GIG
red to more Alaska
communities in 2016 and beyond.
A special new cable modem, which GCI is providing to all
red Internet customers at no charge, is required to
achieve speeds up to 1 GIG and 500 Mbps.
Since 1979, GCI has invested over $3
billion to bring the latest telecommunication technologies
to Alaska, reflecting GCI's
ongoing commitment to the innovation Alaska needs to support industry, education,
health care, job growth and livability for today and the
future.
More information about GCI's 1 GIG red Internet
service can be found at gci.com/internet/1GIG.
About GCI
GCI is the largest Alaska-based
and –operated, integrated telecommunications provider, offering
wireless, voice, data, and video services statewide. Learn more
about GCI at www.gci.com.
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SOURCE GCI