Exhibit 99.1


      Alaska Communications Systems Provides Strategic Initiative Updates


    ANCHORAGE, Alaska--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 4, 2005--Alaska
Communications Systems Group, Inc. ("ACS") (Nasdaq:ALSK) today
reviewed progress of its strategic initiatives.
    As previously announced, as part of its 2005 plan, management has
formed process improvement teams to identify areas for operating
efficiencies. The teams range from those improving the customer
experience in retail stores to reducing costs of high-speed data
installations by hundreds of dollars. If ACS is successful in its
process improvements, it could achieve $3 million to $4 million in
benefits over the next two to three years. These savings are expected
to be partially offset by marketing and sales investments to support
such activities as further development of bundles and programs to
decrease customer churn. For example, management expects to increase
media marketing to approximately $4.2 million in 2005 compared to $3.4
million in 2004.
    ACS is also working to grow its wholesale carrier business through
the securing of contracts with interexchange carriers such as MCI and
Sprint for their traffic moving to/from Alaska. ACS' existing network
and indefeasible rights of use (IRU) commitments provide sufficient
capacity to serve any such wholesale contracts that ACS may win.
    Additionally, having already been granted competitive eligible
telecommunication carrier (CETC) status in two separate phases, which
is expected to generate approximately $7 million in annual revenue,
the company is also contemplating a third phase. If achieved, phase
three could add up to $1 million annually in revenue and earnings
before taxes, depreciation and amortization.
    These actions are consistent with and do not alter previously
issued guidance.

    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, including
under headings such as "Risk factors" and "Management's discussion and
analysis of financial condition and results of operations." 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 Group, Inc.
             Mary Ann Pease, 907-297-3000 (Media)
             VP Corporate Communications
             mpease@acsalaska.com
                 or
             Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates
             ACS Investors:
             Kirsten Chapman, 415-433-3777
             David Barnard, CFA, 415-433-3777
             david@lhai-sf.com