Alaska
Whether your lifestyle includes exploring Alaska’s wilderness, fishing in remote rivers, working remotely, or streaming entertainment from Anchorage to Fairbanks, reliable internet connectivity plays a vital role. Alaska’s broadband landscape includes a range of providers using DSL, cable, fiber, satellite, and fixed-wireless technologies to help connect residents across the sprawling Last Frontier.
In Alaska, approximately 77.7% of people have access to broadband speeds of at least 100 Mbps, placing the state 49th in the country for high-speed availability. However, coverage and technology types vary widely between urban centers and rural regions, where geography and distance present ongoing challenges.
Here’s how key internet technologies are available across Alaska:
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DSL remains widely used and is often provided by companies like Alaska Communications and smaller regional carriers, with coverage across many communities but generally lower maximum speeds compared to other technologies.
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Cable internet — particularly from GCI — serves much of the population with higher speeds and broader infrastructure where available.
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Fiber-optic internet is expanding in towns such as Anchorage, Soldotna, and Fairbanks, delivering symmetrical gigabit-class speeds where deployed, though overall fiber availability remains limited compared with many states.
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Satellite internet providers like Starlink and Hughesnet offer near-ubiquitous coverage statewide — critical in remote and rural communities where wired connections are scarce.
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Fixed wireless solutions also fill gaps in connectivity, bringing broadband-class speeds to communities without traditional wired infrastructure.
Major providers in Alaska include GCI Communications, known for its cable and fiber offerings across many urban and rural areas; Alaska Communications, which delivers fiber, DSL, and fixed wireless options; and emerging services like Starlink, which use satellite connectivity to reach even the most remote addresses.
While the rugged terrain and low population density make statewide broadband deployment expensive and complex, efforts are underway to close connectivity gaps. State-level initiatives supported by the Alaska Broadband Office and federal programs such as BEAD (Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment) are actively expanding infrastructure to underserved communities.
Despite these challenges, many Alaskans can find high-speed internet plans with competitive speeds and a variety of technology options depending on their location. From high-capacity fiber in parts of Anchorage and Fairbanks to satellite coverage that spans every community, Alaska’s growing internet landscape keeps residents connected — whether they’re working, learning, or sharing life in one of America’s most unique states.