Alaska Communications Systems Receives Nortel ''Advantage Partner'' Status.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Alaska Communications Systems Group, Inc. ("ACS") (NASDAQ:ALSK) today announced receipt of Nortel "Advantage Partner" status. As part of Nortel's Partner Advantage channel program, ACS has been recognized for demonstrating high service capabilities built around Nortel's products.

According to Nortel, "Partner Advantage, first rolled out last month, now includes about 80 solution providers. The program creates three partner designations: Advantage, Premium Advantage and Elite Advantage. Each designation requires partners to achieve certain volume requirements, maintain specified numbers of Nortel-certified staff and provide varying levels of service capabilities. In return, partners receive deeper discounts and higher levels of sales, marketing and technical support from Nortel."

ACS is proud to have reached the first phase of designation in the Nortel Partner Advantage program. It is through this certification that customers of ACS can be assured they are receiving top-level services from a designated Nortel partner.

Sheldon Fisher, SVP Sales and Marketing for ACS, stated, "The training, certification and service requirements of the program will result in an improved customer experience for businesses throughout Alaska. This is just one more example of ACS delivering superior service and technology to our customers."

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, 2003 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.