GCI (company)

Last updated

GCI Communication Corp.
Company type Subsidiary
Liberty Broadband traded as:
Nasdaq:  LBRDA (Class A)
Nasdaq:  LBRDK (Class C)
Nasdaq:  LBRDP (preferred)
Industry Telecommunications
Founded1979;45 years ago (1979)
Headquarters Anchorage, Alaska
Productscable television service, Internet access, and Wireline (networking) and cellular telephone
Number of employees
1,800 (2023) [ citation needed ]
Parent Liberty Broadband Corp.
ASN
  • 8047
Website www.gci.com

GCI Communication Corp. (GCI) is a telecommunications corporation operating in Alaska. Through its own facilities and agreements with other providers, GCI provides cable television service, Internet access, wireline (networking), and cellular telephone service. It is a subsidiary of Colorado-based company Liberty Broadband, a company affiliated with Liberty Media that also owns a 26% interest in Charter Communications, having been originally acquired by Liberty in 2015.

Contents

History

GCI was founded in 1979 by Ron Duncan and Bob Walp. [1] 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. [2]

Products

Television

Based in Anchorage, GCI provides cable television service to approximately three-quarters of Alaska residents. [3] GCI has upgraded most of its network to support digital cable broadcasts and provides high-definition broadcasts in some of the state's larger cities. [4] GCI leases 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 requires a customer to subscribe to GCI's internet service. [5] 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. [6]

GCI also provides content to the state-operated Alaska Rural Communications Service satellite system, which in turn provides free over-the-air broadcasts of commercial and public television programs to 235 rural Alaskan communities. [7]

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. [8] 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. [9] [10] On July 31, 2020, GCI announced its intent to exit the television business and sold the non-license assets of KTVA to Gray Television. [11]

Internet

GCI provides access to the Internet via multiple means. As of January 2015, GCI provides cable modem services in major cities in Alaska with download speeds up to 250 megabits per second or Mbps (re:D Plan). In mid 2015 GCI will be deploying its fiber re:D [12] network in the Anchorage area first, with download speeds up to 1 gigabit per second(1,000 Mbit/s). To start that campaign, GCI has increased its highest home internet plan (re:D) from 50MMbps to 100 Mbit/s and then to 250 Mbit/s for free in all available areas that has access to the re:D plan. The re:D plan is currently to this date $174.99 and when the re:D 1 Gbit/s Fiber network launches, the price will remain the same. In the rural cities of Nome, Cordova, Bethel, and Utqiaġvik, GCI provides high-speed cable modem services but uses a satellite for the backhaul connection, as the cost to lay cable to these remote areas is prohibitively expensive. [13] In some rural communities where GCI does not have a cable TV infrastructure, it provides lower-bandwidth (56-512 kbit/s) wireless Internet access over a satellite backhaul. [14]

Through its own facilities and agreements with other providers, primarily Alaska Communications Systems, GCI provides data network and Internet connections via GPON DSL, PRI leased lines (such as a T1), and other high-bandwidth business-class products. These services are aimed at the business market. [15] The state government is a major customer of GCI, using GCI's infrastructure to provide the backbone for the state's wide area network.

GCI maintains local access numbers throughout the state for analog dial-up service. GCI however no longer offers dial up service to customer accounts, but will continue to support customers who are grandfathered into the service.

GCI also owns Alaska United fiber optic cable system, which connects Anchorage and Fairbanks with Internet points of presence in Seattle and Portland. [16] GCI leases capacity on their system to other Internet providers in Alaska, including Clearwire wireless broadband.

Wireline telephone

GCI offers local telephone service in many Alaskan markets, as well as intrastate and interstate long-distance. As the competitive local exchange carrier, GCI primarily contracts with the incumbent local exchange carrier, Alaska Communications Systems, to provide the local loop from GCI's switches to customers. (This practice is known as UNE-loop.)

GCI is currently deploying digital cable telephony based on PacketCable technology in Utqiaġvik as a replacement for the analog copper. In GCI's implementation, the connection between the GCI head end and the subscriber's EMTA uses IP packets but is interconnected with GCI's more traditional circuit-switched infrastructure and backbone. [17]

GCI also provides legacy as well as Cisco VoIP telephony for many customers, including the state government.

Wireless telephone

Through an agreement with Dobson Communications Systems, which provided TDMA and GSM cellular service under the Cellular One brand, GCI formerly sold GSM cellular service under its own name while providing Dobson with the back-end network infrastructure. AT&T's purchase of Dobson, however, resulted in an agreement on December 3, 2007, that released Dobson, now under the AT&T Wireless brand, from its contract to use GCI for its back-end network on July 1, 2008; AT&T Wireless now uses existing AT&T Alascom networks. GCI will continue to contract with AT&T Wireless for the use and resale of its products and services through June 30, 2012, but will also invest $100 million in its own network. It also plans to spend approximately $10 million to complete its acquisition of the remaining 20% of Alaska DigiTel, a competing CDMA-based cellular carrier. [18] On December 4, 2014, GCI agreed to purchase the wireless assets of Alaska Communications for $300 million. The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2015. [19]

Radio frequency spectrum chart

The following chart describes radio frequency spectrum bands accessible by the company's customers.

Frequency BandBand numberProtocolGenerationStatusNotes
1.9 GHz PCS2GSM/GPRS/EDGE2GActive/Refarming to LTE [20]
850 MHz CLR5
1.9 GHz PCS 2 UMTS/HSPA+3G
850 MHz CLR 5
700 MHz Lower SMH A Block 12 LTE/LTE-A4GActive
850 MHz CLR 5/26
1.9 GHz PCS 2/25
1.7/2.1 GHz AWS 4/66
600 MHz DD n71 NR5G
24 GHz K-band n258 Spectrum acquired
39 GHz Ka-band n260
47 GHz V-band n262

See also

Related Research Articles

Communications in Hong Kong includes a wide-ranging and sophisticated network of radio, television, telephone, Internet, and related online services, reflecting Hong Kong's thriving commerce and international importance.

Telecommunications in Jamaica include the fixed and mobile telephone networks, radio, television, and the Internet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Telecommunications in South Africa</span> Overview of telecommunications in South Africa

Telecommunications infrastructure in South Africa provides modern and efficient service to urban areas, including cellular and internet services. The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) is the watchdog of the telecommunications in the country.

Telecommunications in Uruguay includes radio, television, telephones, and the Internet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Internet access</span> Individual connection to the Internet

Internet access is a facility or service that provides connectivity for a computer, a computer network, or other network device to the Internet, and for individuals or organizations to access or use applications such as email and the World Wide Web. Internet access is offered for sale by an international hierarchy of Internet service providers (ISPs) using various networking technologies. At the retail level, many organizations, including municipal entities, also provide cost-free access to the general public.

Vidéotron is a Canadian integrated telecommunications company active in cable television, interactive multimedia development, video on demand, cable telephony, wireless communication and Internet access services. Owned by Quebecor, it primarily serves Quebec and Ottawa, as well as the Francophone communities of New Brunswick and some parts of Eastern Ontario. Its principal competitors are Bell Canada and Telus Communications.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Triple play (telecommunications)</span>

In the field of telecommunications, the concept of triple play service refers to the provision of three essential services — high-speed broadband Internet access, television, and latency-sensitive telephone services — all delivered over a single broadband connection. This approach emphasizes the convergence of multiple services by a single supplier, aiming to enhance user convenience and streamline service delivery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">C Spire</span> Telecommunication company in the US

C Spire, formerly known as Cellular South, Inc., is a privately owned telecommunications company headquartered in Ridgeland, Mississippi. The company consists of three business divisions – C Spire Wireless, C Spire Home Fiber, and C Spire Business.

KTVA is a television station in Anchorage, Alaska, United States, affiliated with the digital multicast network Rewind TV. The station is owned by Denali Media Holdings, a subsidiary of local cable provider GCI. KTVA's transmitter is located in Spenard—covering the Anchorage bowl and much of the adjacent Matanuska-Susitna Valley.

Alaska Communications is a telecommunications corporation headquartered in Anchorage, Alaska. It was the first telecommunications provider in the state of Alaska to maintain a third-generation wireless network and the only provider in Alaska that owned fully incorporated infrastructure for the major telecommunications platforms; wireless communications, Internet networking, and local and long-distance phone service. Alaska Communications wireline operations include advanced data networks and an underwater fiber optic system. The Alaska Communications wireless operations included a statewide 3G CDMA network, and coverage extended from the North Slope to Southeast Alaska.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KTUU-TV</span> NBC affiliate in Anchorage, Alaska

KTUU-TV is a television station in Anchorage, Alaska, United States, affiliated with NBC and CBS. It is owned by Gray Television alongside MyNetworkTV affiliate KAUU. The two stations share studios on East 40th Avenue in midtown Anchorage; KTUU-TV's transmitter is located in Knik, Alaska.

KAUU is a television station in Anchorage, Alaska, United States, affiliated with MyNetworkTV. It is owned by Gray Television alongside dual NBC/CBS affiliate KTUU-TV. The two stations share studios on East 40th Avenue in Anchorage; KAUU's transmitter is located in Knik, Alaska.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KTNL-TV</span> TV station in Sitka, Alaska

KTNL-TV is a television station in Sitka, Alaska, United States, affiliated with MeTV. The station is owned by Bridge Media Networks. KTNL-TV's transmitter is located in downtown Sitka; the station is programmed from studios in Anchorage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KUBD (TV)</span> CBS affiliate in Ketchikan, Alaska

KUBD is a television station in Ketchikan, Alaska, United States, affiliated with CBS. Owned by Gray Television, it is operated as a full-time satellite of Juneau-licensed KYEX-LD. KUBD's transmitter is located in downtown Ketchikan.

Fiber to the <i>x</i> Broadband network architecture term

Fiber to the x or fiber in the loop is a generic term for any broadband network architecture using optical fiber to provide all or part of the local loop used for last mile telecommunications. As fiber optic cables are able to carry much more data than copper cables, especially over long distances, copper telephone networks built in the 20th century are being replaced by fiber.

KATH-LD, virtual channel 2, is a low-power NBC-affiliated television station licensed to both Juneau and Douglas, Alaska, United States. The station is owned by Gray Television. KATH-LD's transmitter is located in downtown Juneau.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Internet in the United States</span> Overview of the Internet in the United States of America

The Internet in the United States grew out of the ARPANET, a network sponsored by the Advanced Research Projects Agency of the U.S. Department of Defense during the 1960s. The Internet in the United States in turn provided the foundation for the worldwide Internet of today.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KXLJ-LD</span> TV station in Juneau, Alaska (2001–2021)

KXLJ-LD, virtual and UHF digital channel 24, was a low-power CBS-affiliated television station that was licensed to Juneau, Alaska, United States. It was a full-time satellite of Sitka-licensed KTNL-TV which was owned by Denali Media Holdings. KXLJ-LD was a sister station to low-power NBC affiliate KATH-LD, licensed to both Juneau and Douglas. KXLJ-LD shared transmitter facilities with KATH-LD in downtown Juneau.

Alaska United Fiber Optic Cable System is a submarine fiber-optic cable owned by GCI that links Anchorage, several places in Southeast Alaska including Juneau, to Oregon and Washington State. Alaska United East (AU-East) is 3,751 kilometers long with landing points at Anchorage and Lena Point in Juneau, and at the shore of Puget Sound at Norma Beach near Picnic Point in Lynnwood, Washington; AU-West has landings at Seward and on the Pacific coast at Warrenton, Oregon. Both are OC-192 rated as of 2018. Additional overland segments (AU-North/NW) connect Anchorage to Fairbanks and Prudhoe Bay along the Alaska Pipeline corridor and Parks Highway.

Optimum is an American telecommunications brand owned and operated by Altice USA. It is the fourth largest cable provider in the United States and a Fortune 500 company. Optimum offers Internet, television, mobile and home phone serving in Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, Long Island and New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, and West Virginia.

References

  1. ↑ Gates, Nancy (November 2006). The Alaska Almanac: Facts About Alaska. Graphic Arts Center Publishing Co. p. 210. ISBN   9780882406527.
  2. ↑ "General Communication Inc. reports $ 2.3 million quarterly profits".[ permanent dead link ]
  3. ↑ "GCI Company Overview". Archived from the original on May 5, 2010. Retrieved October 1, 2009.
  4. ↑ "HDTV - GCI Cable". Archived from the original on January 27, 2007. Retrieved January 22, 2007.
  5. ↑ Gross, Scott. "GCI launches new service called Yukon TV to replace cable television". Alaska's News Source (KTUU-TV). Retrieved February 23, 2022.
  6. ↑ DeMarban, Alex (December 3, 2021). "GCI says to get with the times, it needs to drop its cable TV platform in favor of streaming. Some customers aren't pleased". Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved February 23, 2022.
  7. ↑ "Alaska Public Broadcasting, Inc. - Alaska Rural Communication Service". Archived from the original on January 21, 2007.
  8. ↑ "GCI to purchase NBC for Southeast Alaska KATH-TV and KSCT-TV" . Retrieved November 9, 2012.
  9. ↑ "APPLICATION FOR TRANSFER OF CONTROL OF A CORPORATE LICENSEE OR PERMITTEE, OR FOR ASSIGNMENT OF LICENSE OR PERMIT OF TV OR FM TRANSLATOR STATION OR LOW POWER TELEVISION STATION". CDBS Public Access. Federal Communications Commission. December 9, 2013. Retrieved December 12, 2013.
  10. ↑ "APPLICATION FOR CONSENT TO ASSIGNMENT OF BROADCAST STATION CONSTRUCTION PERMIT OR LICENSE". CDBS Public Access. Federal Communications Commission. December 9, 2013. Retrieved December 12, 2013.
  11. ↑ "Deal gives Atlanta company control of Anchorage TV news". Alaska Public Media. August 2, 2020. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  12. ↑ "fiber re:D – GCI".
  13. ↑ "GCI".
  14. ↑ "GCI WirelessNet - Rural Alaska's Internet Solution". Archived from the original on February 8, 2007. Retrieved January 22, 2007.
  15. ↑ "Index". Archived from the original on January 6, 2007. Retrieved January 22, 2007.
  16. ↑ "Alaska United | GCI's Alaska United Fiber Optic Cable System".
  17. ↑ Balancing Responsibilities and Rights: A Regulatory Model for Facilities-Based VoIP Competition, National Cable and Telecommunications Association, February 2004. Accessed via http://ncta.com/DocumentBinary.aspx?id=318 Archived November 14, 2006, at the Wayback Machine .
  18. ↑ Anchorage Daily News: GCI will pump $100 million into its network [ permanent dead link ]. Published January 12, 2008.
  19. ↑ "GCI To Purchase Wireless Subscriber Base From Alaska Communications". December 4, 2014. Retrieved December 5, 2014.
  20. ↑ "Spectrum Omega".
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.