Internet providers in Anchorage, AK
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- Prices: $74.99 per month
- Speeds up to: 100 Mbps
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Anchorage, Alaska, is known for many things — never-ending summer daylight, fantastic fishing and even, yes, outhouse races. But it’s not exactly known for its wealth of home internet options.
With a population of over 283,000, Anchorage is the largest city in Alaska, but it’s still remote compared to most major urban centers. As a result, locals only have a handful of options for home Wi-Fi providers to choose from.
Here, we’ll compare the top options for internet service providers in Anchorage to help you make the right decision for your home.
Best internet providers in Anchorage, AK
- GCI: Best overall
- Borealis Broadband: Best fixed wireless provider
- Matanuska Telecom Association: Best fiber option
- Starlink: Best satellite internet
Anchorage internet comparison
If you’ve moved to Alaska from elsewhere, you may not recognize some of the names of popular internet providers in Anchorage. Nonetheless, as in other cities, you can choose from options like cable, fiber and fixed wireless. Plans range from $50 to around $190/mo., with download speeds of up to 2.5 GB.
In the following table, we’ve laid out our top picks for Anchorage internet providers.
| Provider | Starting price range* | Download speed range | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|
| GCI | $89.99–$189.99/mo. | 250–2,500 Mbps | Cable |
| Borealis Broadband | $50–$170/mo. | 3–30 Mbps | Fixed wireless |
| Matanukska Telecom Association (MTA) | $69.99–$179.99/mo. | Up to 1,000 Mbps | Fiber |
| Starlink | $120–$150/mo. | 25–220 Mbps | Satellite |
Methodology
We rated the largest internet providers in the U.S. for 2024. Each provider was rated on a scale of 1 to 5 based on over a dozen factors, including speed, cost, availability, fees, customer satisfaction, connection type and more. We also used data from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to compare the average speed offered by internet companies in the U.S. to set a baseline for what is considered a good internet speed. Additionally, we analyzed data from the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) to understand how each internet service provider (ISP) fares in customer service and perceived value.
How to choose a provider in Anchorage, AK
With limited options in Anchorage, you won’t have to compare as many internet plans as in other large cities. Still, you’ll want to consider your budget, as well as features like plan perks, additional costs and your typical browsing habits:
- Plan perks: Some Anchorage internet providers offer plan perks to sweeten the deal and attract new customers, which can help lower your overall costs. For instance, GCI provides a free Amazon Fire TV or Apple TV when you sign up. You may also be able to save by bundling internet and cable TV or other home services.
- Hidden costs: It’s important to read the fine print on your plan, too. Some internet service providers in Anchorage charge additional fees for installation or leasing equipment. Watch out for price increases that come after the first six or 12 months.
- Household internet habits: Speed is a major consideration for home internet, but you can’t decide on the right internet speeds for you without knowing your typical internet usage. For instance, you only need 100–200 Mbps for basic browsing and email, but you may need 500 Mbps or more for streaming and gaming on multiple devices. Before you sign up, evaluate your total number of devices and daily internet needs.
Anchorage internet provider reviews
GCI – Best overall
GCI is currently expanding its fiber network in Alaska, but for now, its most widely available plans are still cable. It offers the broadest access of any wired connection in Anchorage, with download speeds of up to 2.5 GB. GCI also offers the perk of a free Apple TV or Amazon Fire TV when you sign up for service. There’s no way around it, though — plans are expensive.
Borealis Broadband – Best fixed wireless provider
If you’re looking for a wireless option in Anchorage, Borealis Broadband has some of the best cellular network availability. It covers most of the city, but it offers very slow connection speeds. On the plus side, Borealis offers high data caps and doesn’t require contracts or equipment fees.
Matanukska Telecom Association – Best fiber option
Currently, MTA is the only provider offering fiber to a notable number of homes in Anchorage — and it’s still not many. If it’s available in your neighborhood, you may be able to get symmetrical upload/download speeds of up to 1 GB — more than enough for most gaming and 4K streaming on numerous devices. MTA also offers several levels of service, from basic Wi-Fi to full VPN and ID Protection.
Starlink – Best satellite internet
Starlink isn’t the cheapest internet option in Anchorage, but it’s one of the most accessible. You’ll pay $120/mo. or more for service, along with a $499 home equipment fee. The company offers higher download speeds than other satellite providers, there are no contracts, and you can even set it up for service in mobile vehicles.
Overall score: 3.2 out of 5.
Read our full Starlink review.
Cheap internet in Anchorage, AK
Internet providers in Anchorage have some of the most expensive starting prices anywhere in the country. Borealis Broadband offers plans as low as $50/mo., but that plan will get you minimal bandwidth which will probably be insufficient for your needs. To get 250 Mbps download speeds in Anchorage, you’ll need to pay at least $70/mo.
| Plan | Price* | Download speed | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Borealis Broadband | $50/mo. | 3 Mbps | Fixed wireless |
| MTA | $69.99/mo. | 250 Mbps | Fiber |
| GCI | $89.99/mo. | 250 Mbps | Cable |
Fastest internet in Anchorage, AK
Top speeds are more limited in Anchorage, but it’s possible to get fairly fast internet connections in the area. Some customers have access to 2.5 GB download speeds on GCI’s cable plans, and MTA offers symmetrical upload and download speeds of up to 1 GB on its fiber service.
| Plan | Price* | Download speed | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|
| GCI | $189.99/mo | Up to 2,500 Mbps | Cable |
| MTA | $179.99/mo. | Up to 1,000 Mbps | Fiber |
| Starlink | $120/mo. | Up to 220 Mbps | Fixed wireless |
Anchorage internet technology
Home Wi-Fi speed largely depends on the type of connection your provider uses. Internet service providers in Anchorage offer all the following options, each with its pros and cons. Note that all connection types may not be available for your home.
- Fiber internet: Fiber internet stands out as the fastest and most reliable connection type for home internet, offering symmetrical upload and download speeds for a lag-free experience. However, its availability is extremely limited in Anchorage.
- Cable: Cable connections are much easier to find than fiber, but still not as widely available in Anchorage as in other cities. Coaxial cables can offer incredibly fast download speeds, but upload speeds lag, and cable tends to get bogged down when there are too many devices connected.
- Fixed wireless: Cellular providers can reach many areas that don’t have access to fiber internet, making this a popular option in Anchorage. Unfortunately, download speeds are much slower than cable or fiber — especially without 5G service — and high network demand can slow down your connection. Over-the-air connections can be disrupted by weather in places like Alaska, as well.
- DSL: This phone-based internet connection is slowly phasing out, but several Anchorage internet providers still offer DSL. It’s much slower than other options, but it’s widely available in many rural areas.
- Satellite: If you can’t get service with any of the previous connection types, you can most likely connect to the internet via satellite. Providers like Starlink or Viasat can reach even some of the most remote parts of Alaska, but download speeds top out at around 200 Mbps. As with fixed wireless, weather is a concern with satellite internet in Alaska.
Anchorage, AK, internet FAQs
How much is internet per month in Anchorage, Alaska?
Internet plans tend to be more expensive in remote areas like Alaska. You’ll pay anywhere from $50/mo. to $189.99/mo. for home Wi-Fi in Anchorage.
How much is Starlink in Alaska?
Starlink offers standard pricing everywhere. Home plans cost $120/mo., and you’ll pay $499 for the satellite, which you must install yourself or pay to have a third party do it.
Why is the internet so expensive in Alaska?
Alaska’s size, terrain and relatively small population all contribute to its high home internet costs. State leaders are actively discussing ways to get high-speed internet to more of the population affordably.
This content is produced through an alliance between USA TODAY and Allconnect.com. Under the alliance, Allconnect publishes articles about broadband-related topics upholding strict editorial integrity standards in line with USA TODAY’s Principles of Ethical Conduct. The opinions, analyses, reviews and recommendations expressed are those of the Allconnect editorial staff alone. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information. Read more about our Allconnect Advertising Disclosure.
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