Exhibit 99.1

Alaska Communications Systems Assumes Ownership of Strategic Fiber Optic Assets

    ANCHORAGE, Alaska--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 18, 2005--Alaska
Communications Systems Group, Inc. ("ACS") (Nasdaq:ALSK) today
announced it has exercised an option with Crest Communications, L.L.C.
("Crest"; a successor to Neptune Communications, L.L.C.) to assume
ownership of certain strategic assets in Alaska.
    The assets consist of significant fiber optic transport facilities
in Alaska between Whittier and Anchorage, and between Anchorage and
Fairbanks. Under its 2002 agreement with Crest, ACS was granted an
option to exchange its $15 million note for the Alaska assets owned by
Crest. The value of this note was reassessed and written down to $0
with a charge taken in 2003. No additional financial consideration is
due to Crest in connection with this exercise.
    "This fiber optic transport will support the tremendous growth ACS
has seen in Internet and long distance volumes," said Liane Pelletier,
ACS president and chief executive officer. "We have also timed the
exercise of our option to acquire these assets to coincide with
certain customer contract commitments. ACS anticipates revenue from
these contracts will more than fully offset the incremental operating
expenses associated with these assets."

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