Best Internet Providers in Anchorage, Alaska for 2025
Compare the Best Internet Service Providers in Anchorage, AK
Not all plans are available in all areas. Provider plan, availability, and speed tier data provided by BroadbandNow.com. Speedtest real-world data is only present where sample size has reached significance within a region. Additionally, averages may include aggregated tests across multiple Internet Types (Fiber, DSL, Cable, etc.).
At Speedtest, we take pride in delivering reliable and accurate data, serving as the foundation for our ISP evaluations. Our insights are derived from millions around the globe who conduct Speedtests, ensuring our recommendations are based on dependable, up-to-date speed data. This approach empowers us to present an impartial overview of how ISPs truly perform.
Three crucial metrics for assessing an ISP's efficacy are download speed, upload speed, and latency. Download speed is paramount for activities such as streaming and downloading, as it affects how quickly data is received by your device. Upload speed, important for uploading files and online communication, measures how fast data travels from your device to the web. Latency, or ping, plays a crucial role in online gaming and video calls, dictating the promptness of your connection. Armed with comprehensive data on these metrics, you're equipped to choose an ISP that matches your internet usage needs exactly.
The technology behind an ISP significantly influences your online experience quality. Fiber optics often deliver the fastest speeds, catering well to those with hefty internet demands. While cable internet is more common and usually offers good download capabilities, its upload speeds can be slower. DSL technology provides adequate speeds for general web surfing and streaming. Lastly, satellite internet, frequently the sole option in remote areas, often faces higher latency and reduced speeds.
How Much Speed Do I Need?
Download speeds of at least 100 Mbps and upload speeds of at least 10 Mbps are widely considered fast enough to handle nearly any online activity. A quick guide to what speeds you need for different online activities is below, and you can read our full guide to internet speeds and performance for more information. Keep in mind that the numbers below are the bare minimum for one device at a time. If you’re trying to use multiple devices on a network at the same time, you’ll want higher speeds.
0–5 Mbps (Slow)
- Stream SD video
- Connect on Slack
- Use Microsoft Teams
- Write and read email
- Scroll social media
- General web browsing
5–20 Mbps (Better)
- Stream HD video at 1080p
20–40 Mbps (Solid)
- Stream 4K video
- Play games online
40–100 Mbps (Good)
- Stream HD games
100+ Mbps (Fast)
- Engage in multi-player gaming
- Download huge files
1+ Gbps (Very fast)
- Do anything you want on multiple devices
ISP Speeds in Anchorage, AK
In Anchorage, Alaska, the fastestinternet speed achievement that we've clocked is held by GCI, which, according to our proprietary real-world Speedtest data, offers a staggering median download speed of 293 Mbps. This remarkable performance not only highlights the technical prowess of GCI but also indicates that they provide the fastest internet service in the city, at least in some neighborhoods, with their offerings including fiber as an option for consumers striving for high-speed connectivity.
When considering advertised maximum download speeds, GCI and other ISPs like Alaska Communications and Starlink present a varying range, with GCI reaching the highest speeds with up to 2.5 Gbps. It’s important for consumers to note the potential discrepancy between these advertised peaks and the actual speeds experienced based on a wide array of factors like infrastructure and hardware. Such variances underscore the need for real-world data to set accurate expectations. Among all ISPs, however, GCI stands out for advertising speeds that significantly exceed what is typically required for most online activities.
A good rule of thumb to remember is that download speeds of at least 100 Mbps and upload speeds of 10 Mbps are widely considered fast enough to handle nearly any online activity. At 100 Mbps, you can stream 4K high-definition (HD) videos on several devices, download large files for work, or play HD games on multiple laptops or smartphones in the same home. Considering how your network will be used and the number of people using it is key. The number of devices connected might be the most crucial factor in determining the level of speed your household requires, as internet usage is cumulative across all devices.
Anchorage Fixed Speeds
Download Mbps
Median download speed
Upload Mbps
Median upload speed
Latency ms
Median latency
To be added to this list for mobile or fixed broadband, 75% of a city's monthly unique user totals over a 13-month period must have a minimum of 200 monthly unique user results. To be updated for mobile or fixed broadband, 75% of a city's monthly unique user totals over a 13-month period must have a minimum of 100 monthly unique user results.
An operator or ISP must account for 3% or more of total test samples in the market to be on this list. We display data if at least two operators or ISPs meet this threshold in a designated region or city.
Internet Providers in Nearby Cities
Home Internet in Anchorage
Anchorage, known for its breathtaking landscapes, wondering moose, midnight (almost) sound, and dynamic wildlife, also offers its residents a diverse array of internet services including DSL, fiber, fixed wireless, cable, and satellite. Providers such as GCI and Alaska Communications bring fiber connectivity to the city and also highlight the technological advancements accessible to Anchorage's residents.
For those residing in Anchorage, evaluating ISPs available across the city involves considering a variety of providers for more than one category. GCI stands out for its extensive coverage of Anchorage with a reach of 96.2% of homes. For this category we are not including satellite or fixed wireless types of ISPs as their data methods diverge from the method. This makes GCI a perhaps optimal choice for those residents seeking reliable and expansive internet service. With other ISPs picking up the slack, this high level of accessibility ensures that most residents have access to high-speed internet options, which is crucial for everything from telecommuting to streaming entertainment and beyond.
The average starting price for internet service providers in Anchorage is $83.99, a number that places it in the upper-echelons of average pricing for other states and metro areas. While some plans start cheaper—Hughesnet offers the lowest-cost starting plan at $49.99 a month, a price that is substantially higher than the national average, it's essential to note that prices can escalate significantly depending on the desired speed. This lowest-cost plan by Hughesnet escalates coastwise in tandem with maximum advertised download speed plans, demonstrating the variability in cost associated with higher speeds. It's important for residents to be aware that advertised maximum speeds may not always reflect the speeds users experience in the real world, and that prices may vary.
How we test the speed of ISPs
Speedtest is the definitive way to test the performance and quality of an internet connection. Millions of users like you use Speedtest.net and our Android and iOS apps every day to test internet performance (including bandwidth, latency, coverage, video metrics, and more) in real world situations. We then use rigorous scientific approaches to aggregate and anonymize those results to empower people like you with content like this so you can understand and optimize your internet experience.

The data found within has not been subjected to the rigorous Speedtest marketing claims and data methodology, and therefore cannot be used in commercial applications. Additionally, promised speeds and plans offered are always subject to change.
How to test your internet speed
Speedtest can help you test the speed and overall performance of your internet for free from any device. Click here to open a new page and take a Speedtest. You can then compare your results with what you’ve learned about internet performance near you. If you aren’t getting the results you expect, you can either use this guide to use your Speedtest results to talk to your internet provider or you can shop for a new provider.