EXHIBIT 99.1

 ALASKA COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS CLOSES REPURCHASE OF $41.3 MILLION OF ITS 9 7/8%
                             SENIOR NOTES DUE 2011;
        ENTERS INTO NEW $40 MILLION TERM LOAN AND $40 MILLION RATE SWAP

ANCHORAGE, Alaska, Jul 18, 2005 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Alaska Communications Systems
Group, Inc. ("ACS") (NASDAQ:ALSK) announced today that its subsidiary, Alaska
Communications Systems Holdings, Inc. ("ACSH"), closed the repurchase of $41.3
million face value of its existing 9 7/8% senior unsecured notes due 2011 (CUSIP
No. 011679AD9) issued by ACSH, at a price of $1,105.70 per senior note. Included
in this closing was the agreement to repurchase $34.3 million in face value of
notes previously announced on July 6, 2005.

ACSH financed the $41.3 million debt repurchase plus estimated repurchase
premiums and expenses of $5.1 million with a new term loan of $40.0 million
under its 2005 credit facility and cash on hand. In addition, ACS entered into a
$40.0 million notional amount fixed to floating swap arrangement, effectively
fixing the rate on the new term loan at 6.42 percent per annum for a period of
six years.

"In completing this series of debt transactions, we have improved our interest
coverage ratio and marginally reduced the level of gross debt," said David
Wilson, ACS chief financial officer. "These transactions reduce our current
weighted cost of debt to approximately 6.8 percent, and we expect to realize a
reduction in gross cash interest expense of $1.5 million per annum. In addition,
the rate swap manages our interest rate risk, increasing the predictability of
our cash flow and locking in an attractive rate through September 2011."

About Alaska Communications Systems

ACS is the leading integrated communications provider in Alaska, offering local
telephone service, wireless, long distance, data, and Internet services to
business and residential customers throughout Alaska. More information can be
found on the company's website at www.acsalaska.com or at its investor site at
www.alsk.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

Statements about future results and other expectations constitute
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on current
expectations and the current economic environment. The company cautions that
these statements are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results may
differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking
statements. A number of factors in addition to those discussed herein could
cause actual results to differ materially from expectations. The company's
financial planning is affected by business and economic conditions and changes
in customer order patterns. Any projections are inherently subject to
significant economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of
which are beyond the control of ACS. Important assumptions and other important
factors, including risk factors, which could cause actual results to differ
materially from those in the forward-looking statements, are specified in the
company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 and other filings with
the SEC. The company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

SOURCE: Alaska Communications Systems Group, Inc.

Alaska Communications Systems
Melinda Taylor, 907-297-3000 (Media)
melinda.taylor@acsalaska.com
    or
Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates
Kirsten Chapman, 415-433-3777 (Investors)
David Barnard, CFA, 415-433-3777 (Investors)
david@lhai-sf.com