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                                                                    Exhibit 99.2

       Alaska Communications Systems Signs Definitive Agreement to Acquire
                      Matanuska Telephone Association, Inc.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 22, 2000--Alaska Communications Systems
Group, Inc. ("ACS") (Nasdaq:ALSK) announced today that it has executed a
definitive agreement with Matanuska Telephone Association, Inc. ("MTA") to
acquire all of the assets of MTA for cash consideration of $187.5 million.

The definitive agreement was approved by the boards of Directors of MTA and ACS,
and will be presented to the members of MTA for their approval at a special
meeting of the members set for September 19, 2000. The agreement is also subject
to regulatory and third party approvals.

MTA had consolidated 1999 revenue of approximately $66 million. It's local
telephone service, which currently serves 57,500 access lines, had revenue of
$54 million during 1999. MTA's wireless operations, which cover approximately
12,500 subscribers, had $4 million of revenue during 1999. Long-distance,
Internet and other telecommunications services provided the remainder of
consolidated revenue for the year. The transaction, which will be accounted for
as a purchase, will be financed with proceeds from the initial public offering
completed by ACS last year and by an existing supplement to bank term loans
provided by a consortium of banks led by the Chase Manhattan Bank.

Chuck Robinson, ACS Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, "We believe
MTA's operations, which include local telephone, cellular, long distance and
internet access services, will be a valuable strategic addition to the business
of ACS. The acquisition of MTA represents another step on the road toward
improving communications services throughout the state and reducing the overall
cost of the network to our customers. An equally valuable addition will be the
talents and skills of the MTA employees, and we look forward to welcoming them
into the ACS family. The Matanuska Valley, the fastest growing region in Alaska,
lies in between our Anchorage and Fairbanks operations and is a strong
complement to our existing local telephone and wireless operations."

ACS is the leading diversified, facilities based telecommunications provider in
Alaska, offering local service, wireless, long distance, data, and Internet
services to business and residential customers throughout Alaska. ACS currently
serves approximately 327,000 access lines and 73,000 cellular customers
throughout the state. Members of the ACS senior management team have played
significant roles in bringing advanced technology to Alaska for more than four
decades. ACS is traded on NASDAQ under the symbol "ALSK."

Statements contained in this press release, which are not historical fact, are
"forward-looking statements" that involve a number of known and unknown risks or
uncertainties. Additional factors, which may affect actual results, are
contained in the Company's filings with the SEC, including the Company's reports
on Forms S-4, S-1, 10-K and 10-Q. Forward-looking statements in this release are
made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions contained in the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

CONTACT: Alaska Communications Systems Group, Inc.
Michael E. Holmstrom
Mary Ann Pease
907/297-3000
Investors@acsalaska.com
http://www.acsalaska