Alaska's Fastest Business Internet Plans

What is Typical?

As used in the broadband labels, Typical is the broadband performance most customers will experience during Peak Hours, absent outlying factors. Broadband performance measured outside of Peak Hours may exceed performance measured during Peak Hours.

What are Peak Hours?

The weekday hours of 5 p.m. - 11 p.m. local time are considered peak busy hours.

What is Download Speed?

In the context of Broadband Labels, Download Speed is the rate at which data is transferred from our broadband network to your GCI-provided broadband modem. This rate is often expressed in terms of megabits (Mbps) or gigabits (Gbps) per second. Higher rates represent faster speeds.

What is Upload Speed?

In the context of Broadband Labels, Upload Speed is the rate at which data is transferred from your GCI-provided broadband modem to our broadband network. This rate is often expressed in terms of megabits (Mbps) or gigabits (Gbps) per second. Higher rates represent faster speeds.

What is Latency?

In the context of Broadband Labels, Latency measures the amount of time it takes data to travel from your GCI modem to our speed test servers in milliseconds (where 1000 ms = 1 second). Even with good connection speeds, very high latency results can have an impact on the performance of certain applications, such as real-time gaming or video calls.

Why and how does GCI monitor its network?

We continuously monitor and manage our network and proactively measure speeds to deliver the best possible internet service experience. This monitoring information is used to maximize the performance of our network by identifying potentially under-performing areas to proactively improve customers’ experience.

How did GCI determine the typical speeds listed on its broadband labels?

Typical Speeds are measured by collecting data from the AK-Fi speed test function during Peak Hours (5 p.m. to 11 p.m.) by measuring the speed between the GCI-provided AK-Fi equipment and GCI’s speed test servers. Tests are run randomly and during peak network usage hours to produce the most conservative results.

Does GCI run speed tests from my connection, and why?

GCI, like all broadband providers, is required by the FCC to measure and report the performance of the broadband rate plans we provide to customers. Our Broadband Labels testing system randomly selects customers’ connections from the various rate plans in communities across Alaska to periodically run tests to help validate that the results we are publishing on our Labels are representative of the typical customer experience.

What’s the difference between the “up-to speed” and the “speeds provided with plan” in the Broadband Label?

The advertised “up-to speed” is the maximum speed you should expect to receive on your respective plan, regardless of time of day, for the service to which you have subscribed, assuming your home networking equipment and devices are capable of delivering the speed provided by our broadband network.

The Broadband Label “speeds provided with plan” section describes the Typical speed most customers will experience during Peak Hours, absent outlying factors.

What’s the best way for me to check my GCI Internet speeds?

You can measure your broadband performance including download speed and upload speed by following these steps:

1. Use a computer with an Ethernet port capable of supporting your plan’s included speed.
2. Directly connect that computer via a CAT 6 or better Ethernet cable to the highest-rated port on the GCI-provided modem.
3. Run speeds tests against our speed test servers below.

Please note: Speed tests performed on older computers, smartphones, tablets, etc. and/or using different websites at different times will likely produce lower results due to outlying factors beyond GCI’s control.

Alternatively, you can measure your broadband performance by using GCI’s AK-Fi app for iOS or Android , where available. Our AK-Fi app measures the speed at your AK-Fi equipment rather than at an individual device connected to your network, which is limited by the slower speeds of WiFi and/or older devices that are not capable of achieving the full GCI-provided speed.

Important note for 2 Gig and higher plans: 2 Gig and 2.5 Gig plans may show a lower speed test result in the AK-Fi app due to the limitation of the speed test applet. This is purely a limitation of the speed test applet and not a true indication of the speed experience.

If you don’t have AK-Fi yet, check out these resources:

• AK-Fi Home for residential customers
• AK-Fi Work for business customers

If you suspect there is a performance issue with your service, please call GCI Customer Service at 800-800-4800.

What outlying factors can affect my speed test results?

Outlying factors can result in speeds that are higher or lower than the Typical speeds noted on Broadband Labels. These factors may include but are not limited to: the capability of the device used to access the internet; limitations of customer-owned WiFi routers and other equipment; the broadband modem you currently have is not able to achieve the speeds of the rate plan you are currently subscribed to; the capabilities of other speed test websites or other internet services accessed by you; other users on your network using the connection at the same time; temporary atypical high GCI network usage; and whether tests are conducted during Peak or off-peak hours. Speed tests conducted with the AK-Fi app, or the alternative speed test method noted above, are the most accurate and will measure the Download speed and Upload speed of your connection.

If you suspect there is a performance issue with your service, please call GCI Customer Service at 800-800-4800.

What type of equipment do I need?

Your modem, Ethernet cords, and even the connection port you use will impact your internet speeds. View the best equipment for your plan.

How would I know if my modem supports the speeds of my current rate plan?

GCI proactively notifies customers who need newer equipment and offers upgrades free of charge. View the best equipment for your plan.

If you believe you may need new equipment, please contact GCI Customer Service at 800-800-4800.