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