January 27, 2000

Contact:
David Morris, (907) 265-5396 or dmorris@gci.com
Kathy Day, (907) 561-4488 or kday@gci.net

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GALAXY XR SATELLITE LAUNCHES SUCCESSFULLY GCI

Expects to Double Satellite Capacity for Alaska by March 2000

ANCHORAGE, AK - The successful launch of the $225 million Galaxy XR satellite from Arianespace Center in Kourou, French Guiana this week means Alaska-based GCI (NASDAQ:GNCMA) is one step closer to doubling its satellite-based telecommunications capacity. Once the PanAmSat satellite is positioned in its geostationary orbit GCI can provide clearer long-distance telephone service, faster Internet access and more types of services to Alaskans, especially those living in rural Alaska.

Galaxy XR has a total of 48 C- and Ku-band transponders, of which GCI will have invested more than $50 million to own six C- and one Ku-band transponders. Each transponder is capable of carrying a minimum of 1,800 simultaneous voice or data calls. The new satellite will provide the highest performance ever available in Alaska for at least the next 15 years.

"Galaxy XR is tailor-made for Alaska because it covers the entire state and offers a stronger signal, and allows us to accommodate emerging services such as e-commerce, telemedicine and distance education," said John Lowber, GCI CFO.

Galaxy XR is another component in GCI's overall plan to be Alaska's only integrated communications provider. In addition to the recent launch, GCI also began operating a $125 million undersea fiber-optic cable from Alaska to the Lower 48 last year. The fiber optic cable serves the majority of Alaskans who live in Fairbanks, Anchorage and Juneau, but the satellite capacity will serve the some 40,000 GCI customers who live in rural communities where it's too expensive to offer fiber cable capacity. The added satellite capacity also will offer a backup if a problem ever arises with the undersea cable.

GCI anticipates services to commence on the new satellite by mid-March.

GCI is an Alaska-based and operated company that provides local, wireless and long distance telephone, cable television, Internet and data communication services to more than 180,000 customers throughout Alaska. More information about the company can be found at www.gci.com.