Byron Mallott Joins Board of Alaska Communications Systems.

Business Editors

ANCHORAGE, Alaska--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 5, 2000

Alaska business, political and Native leader Byron I. Mallott of Juneau has been appointed to the board of directors of Alaska Communications Systems Group, Inc. (ACS), which completed an initial public stock offering in November 1999 (Nasdaq:ALSK).

Mallott, former Executive Director of the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation, is President of the Alaska Federation of Natives Foundation.

"Byron Mallott is a very important addition to our Board," remarked Charles E. Robinson, ACS Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "First, he contributes significant financial expertise. But beyond that, ACS will benefit from the breadth of knowledge, sound judgment, and understanding of the Alaskan political and business landscape he has developed during his 35 years of exemplary service in the state."

From 1972 until 1992, Mallott was variously Director, Chairman, and President and Chief Executive Officer of Sealaska Corporation, a Southeast Alaska Native corporation, establishing an investment portfolio with holdings in excess of $100 million. He has served as a director for the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, the Seattle Branch, five commercial banking institutions and the Alaska Commercial Fisheries and Agricultural Bank.

Mallott, who has served every Alaska governor since statehood, entered public service in 1965. His elected and appointed positions include Mayor of Yakutat, President of the Alaska Federations of Natives, Chair of the Nature Conservancy of Alaska, a director of the Alaska Public Radio Network, Mayor of Juneau, and co-chair of the Governor's Commission on Rural Governance and Empowerment.

Alaska Communications Systems serves over 400,000 business, government and residential subscribers for its facilities-based local telephone, wireless, long-distance, data, network, and Internet services throughout the state of Alaska. Headquartered in Anchorage, Alaska, the company provides these services as ATU Telecommunications, PTI Communications, ATU Long Distance, MACtel, and PTINet. Alaska Communications Systems also holds a controlling interest in Alaskan Choice Television.

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Actual results could differ materially from these statements as a result of many factors, including matters discussed in the company's forms S-1 and S-4 registrations statements and in the company's Form 10Q report for the quarter ended September 30, 1999, which are on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.