March 10, 2025
Find key updates and answers to FAQs about the service outage due to emergency maintenance on our fiber network affecting Sitka.
To ensure the strength and integrity of the fiber-optic infrastructure near Sitka, GCI will be performing emergency maintenance on a section of our underwater fiber serving the community. This is separate from the ACS fiber repair impacting Southeast Alaska. This will require GCI to move its services to alternate backhaul technologies, including microwave and satellite technologies, for up to 8 days while maintenance operations are underway. The work is expected to take place from March 13-21, 2025. GCI services in Sitka will be operating at a reduced level during this time. Home internet service will be available in a very limited capacity and will only support very low bandwidth activities like email. Basic mobile voice and text are expected to remain intact. Landline services will be available but delays in audio may be experienced. Mobile data and Yukon TV services will remain down until the cable is repaired. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate our customers’ patience. GCI will continue to provide updates as information becomes available.
When will the maintenance take place?
The maintenance is scheduled from Thursday, March 13, through Friday, March 21.
Is this related to the ACS fiber repair in Southeast Alaska?
No, this is unrelated to the fiber repair on ACS’s network. This emergency maintenance is on a section of fiber that GCI owns and operates.
How will this affect my internet and mobile service?
GCI services in Sitka will be operating at a reduced level during this time. Residential internet service will be severely limited, supporting only very low bandwidth activities like email. Basic mobile voice and text are expected to remain intact. Landline service will be available but delays in audio may be experienced. Mobile data and Yukon TV services will remain down until the cable is repaired.
What about Yukon TV services?
Yukon TV services will be down until the cable is repaired.
How long will my services be affected?
The services will be affected for up to 8 days while emergency maintenance operations are underway.
What about credits?
To make up for the service interruption, we will issue credits to your account for the inconvenience. The credit details are:
- Internet customers: 100% credit for one month service plan fees
- Mobile customers (including FastPhone Prepaid): 100% credit for one month service plan fees
- Yukon TV customers: 100% credit for one month service plan fees
How will GCI keep customers updated?
GCI will provide ongoing updates via the website, text messages, email, local media updates, radio, and the local retail store.
What should I do if I experience connectivity issues during this time?
If you have questions or concerns, please visit your local GCI retail store or call 1-800-800-4800, option 2 then 2, between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m.
Is this in the same place as the fiber cut that caused the outage last year?
No, the emergency maintenance work is in a different location. Maintenance is essential to ensure the reliability and longevity of this critical infrastructure in rugged, remote Alaska environments.
Why is this happening for the second time in less than a year?
During this planned service interruption, GCI’s technical teams are performing emergency maintenance to keep our fiberoptic infrastructure between Angoon and Sitka strong and reliable. To work safely, we need to temporarily take that fiber segment offline. The community has been moved onto alternate backhaul technologies while work is underway. We know how important high-speed internet and mobile service is for everyone and we understand your frustration. We appreciate your patience while we complete this work as safely and quickly as possible.
We know how important the internet is to you and the challenges our emergency fiber maintenance presents. As an extra show of our appreciation to you and the impact this has, we've organized some free events and activities with local organizations to bring you opportunities to connect and make memories with friends and family.
Available at the GCI store starting Monday the 10th
- Brenda Coloring Books and crayons
- Wildly Ingenious Sticker Sheets
- Family Movie Tickets - Looking to attend one of the movies listed below? Stop by GCI to get your complimentary tickets.
Community Events
Sunday, March 9th
- Open swim 9am-12pm Blatchley Middle School
- Lap swim 1pm-3pm Blatchley Middle School
- Parent Tot Time 3pm-4:30pm Blatchley Middle School
Friday, March 14th
- The Lorax 1pm at Coliseum Theatre
Saturday, March 15th
- Shrek 11am at Coliseum Theatre
- Open Swim 9am-1pm Blatchley Middle School
- Open Skate 2pm-4pm Blatchley Middle School Multipurpose Room
- Open Gym 3pm-5pm Blatchley Middle School Main Gym
Sunday, March 16th
- Madagascar 11am at Coliseum Theatre
- Open swim 9am-12pm Blatchley Middle School
- Lap swim 1pm-3pm Blatchley Middle School
- Parent Tot Pool Time 3pm-4:30pm Blatchley Middle School