Exhibit 99.1


          Alaska Communications Systems Expects to Receive $7.6 Million
                    From Liquidation of Rural Telephone Bank;
          Repurchases $8.0 Million of Its 9 7/8% Senior Notes Due 2011


     ANCHORAGE, Alaska--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 2, 2006--Alaska Communications
Systems Group, Inc. ("ACS") (NASDAQ:ALSK) today announced it expects to receive
$7.6 million in cash from the liquidation of the Rural Telephone Bank (RTB). ACS
expects to receive the funds in mid-2006. At that time, it would recognize a
gain of approximately $6.6 million from the liquidation of its investment in
Class C RTB stock, which has a carrying value of approximately $1.0 million.
     In addition, ACS announced today that its subsidiary, Alaska Communications
Systems Holdings, Inc. ("ACSH"), has repurchased $8.0 million principal amount
of its existing 9 7/8% senior unsecured notes due 2011 (CUSIP No. 011679AF4), at
a weighted average price of $1,096.75 per senior note.
     "In anticipation of the receipt of RTB proceeds, we elected to reduce our
debt by repurchasing a like amount of our high cost senior notes using excess
cash on hand," said David Wilson, ACS senior vice president and chief financial
officer. "The notes repurchased will reduce ACS' gross cash interest expense by
approximately $790,000 per annum, more than offsetting the expected loss of
approximately $500,000 in annual dividends we have historically received from
our investment in Class C RTB stock."

     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. For further information regarding risks and
uncertainties associated with ACS' business, please refer to the company's SEC
filings, including, but not limited to, the sections entitled "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in the
company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 and the company's Form
10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005, and "Risk Factors" in the
company's current report on Form 8-K dated November 29, 2005. 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
              Meghan Stapleton, 907-297-3000 (Media)
              meghan.stapleton@acsalaska.com
              or
              Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates
              Kirsten Chapman, 415-433-3777 (Investors)
              David Barnard, 415-433-3777 (Investors)
              david@lhai-sf.com