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Unalaska has become the first rural community in Alaska to have the fastest cell service, with a 5G connection brought by telecommunications company GCI. The company invested .9 million to upgrade the wireless network on the island. This upgrade has made Unalaska the state’s first rural community to enjoy 5G coverage.

According to GCI Rural Affairs Director Jen Nelson, the wireless service in Unalaska is top-notch, offering the fastest data speeds and a more reliable voice service. This development has placed Unalaska at the forefront of cities in the country in terms of wireless service. Nelson also mentioned that GCI was the first provider in Alaska to offer 5G coverage, which was initially launched in Anchorage in 2020 and has since expanded to other urban communities in the state.

This upgrade comes after GCI connected the first island residents to 2 gig fiber speeds eight months ago, followed by an upgrade to 2.5 gig internet speeds in May. The AU-Aleutians Fiber project by GCI, which commenced in 2020, aims to bridge the digital divide in the region. An 800-mile undersea cable connects Kodiak to Unalaska, providing high-speed broadband connection across the Aleutian chain.

Nelson emphasized that connecting Unalaska with fiber connectivity paved the way for this wireless upgrade, bringing the community on par with urban areas like Anchorage. GCI’s focus now is on connecting more Aleutian and Alaska Peninsula communities to high-speed internet and subsequently making mobile upgrades throughout the region. However, no specific timeline for these future upgrades was provided.

Unalaska’s 5G connection and the ongoing efforts to improve internet access in rural communities in Alaska mark significant progress in bridging the digital gap.

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