Alaska Communications Systems Expands Wireless Coverage Area.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Alaska Communications Systems Group, Inc. ("ACS") (Nasdaq:ALSK), Alaska's leading integrated communications provider, today announced its recent rapid expansion of its wireless coverage on its CDMA network.

In strengthening the state's best wireless network, ACS' footprint is growing with the intention of covering 80 percent of Alaska's population with CDMA voice and data by the middle of 2006. This network provides the best voice quality, fastest wireless data speeds, greatest security in its coding, and GPS location capabilities in its coverage areas.

"ACS is committed to serving businesses and consumers with the best mobile voice and data service in the state," said President and Chief Executive Officer Liane Pelletier. "In Alaska, wireless penetration sits at 52 percent versus the rest of the United States at 67 percent. We believe offering the highest quality service will drive new wireless users to our network. To attract subscribers, we have added coverage in high traffic zones: military bases, frequently used roads, and densely populated areas."

In October, ACS turned up towers on three of Alaska's military bases: Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Eielson Air Force Base near Fairbanks, and in Delta Junction where coverage reaches military members serving on Fort Greely.

Alaska's few highways are traveled by about two million out-of-state visitors throughout the year. While the summer months are most active, the roads remain heavily traveled throughout the winter, with truckers, travelers, snowmachiners, and skiers. ACS recognized the need for expanded wireless coverage and committed itself to developing a wireless voice and data network on the state's major highway connecting Anchorage to Fairbanks, through Denali National Park.

Within the Municipality of Anchorage, where half of the state's population resides, coverage has deepened. And further south, ACS turned up new CDMA sites on the way to and throughout the Kenai Peninsula. Similarly, ACS added new CDMA wireless service in Sitka, located in Southeast Alaska.

About CDMA

CDMA stands for Code Division Multiple Access. CDMA inherently provides the best voice quality, fastest wireless data speeds, greatest security through its coding, and GPS location capabilities. It is the most rapidly expanding wireless network in the world, with CDMA coverage throughout 70 countries, including on the continents of North America, South America, Europe and Asia.

About Alaska Communications Systems

ACS is the leading integrated communications provider in Alaska, offering local telephone service, wireless, long distance, data, and Internet services to business and residential customers throughout Alaska. More information can be found on the company's website at www.acsalaska.com or at its investor site at www.alsk.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

Statements about future results and other expectations constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on current expectations and the current economic environment. The company cautions that these statements are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. A number of factors in addition to those discussed herein could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations. The company's financial planning is affected by business and economic conditions and changes in customer order patterns. Any projections are inherently subject to significant economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the control of ACS. Important assumptions and other important factors, including risk factors, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, are specified in the company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 and other filings with the SEC. The company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.