Exhibit 99.1

            Alaska Communications Systems Announces Change
                  in Independent Public Accountants

    ANCHORAGE, Alaska--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 16, 2005--Alaska
Communications Systems Group, Inc. ("ACS") (Nasdaq:ALSK) today
announced the audit committee of its board of directors voted to
dismiss Deloitte & Touche LLP as the company's independent public
accountant and appoint KPMG LLP, effective immediately. The decision
to change auditors was not the result of any disagreement between the
company and Deloitte on any matter of accounting principles or
practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or
procedures.
    "We value the services Deloitte has provided ACS over the past six
years," said David Wilson, ACS senior vice president and chief
financial officer. "However, after an extensive review of costs and
logistical issues related to location, we believe KPMG is better
suited to serve our needs going forward, and we look forward to
working with them."
    ACS filed a Form 8-K Current Report today with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on this matter.

    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.

    CONTACT: Alaska Communications Systems
             Mary Ann Pease, 907-297-3000
             mpease@acsalaska.com
             or
             Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates (for ACS Investors)
             Kirsten Chapman, 415-433-3777
             David Barnard, CFA, 415-433-3777
             david@lhai-sf.com