Which is better, GCI or Bristol Bay Telephone Cooperative?

Bristol Bay Telephone Cooperative is cheaper to start where you can get it, but GCI reaches 328 times as many people, so at most addresses GCI is the one on offer (and it is faster). Where both are offered (about 939 people), GCI has the faster top speed for 14% of homes.

FasterGCITop speed 2,500 Mbps vs 25 Mbps; faster for 14% of homes where both are offered.

Cheaper to startBristol Bay Telephone CooperativeFrom $30 a month, vs $89.99.

Better ratedToo close to callToo few reviews to compare yet (21 and 0).

Available to more peopleGCI578,213 people in 1 state, vs 1,762 in 1 state.

GCI
Price: $89.99 - $189.99 / mo.
Speed: 10 - 2,500 Mbps
Internet Type: Cable, fixed wireless, and fiber
Rating (Reviews): (21)
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Bristol Bay Telephone Cooperative
Price: $30.00 - $110.00 / mo.
Speed: 10 - 25 Mbps
Internet Type: DSL
Rating (Reviews): (0)
View Plans

GCI vs. Bristol Bay Telephone Cooperative at a glance

Measure	GCI	Bristol Bay Telephone Cooperative
Available to	578,213 people in 1 state	1,762 people in 1 state
Main technology	Cable 93%, fixed wireless 4.8%, fiber 2.9%	DSL 100%
Top download speed filed with the FCC	2,500 Mbps	25 Mbps
Fastest plan we list	2,500 Mbps down, 75 Mbps up	4 Mbps down, 1 Mbps up
Starting price	$89.99 a month	$30 a month
Cheapest plan, first 2 years	$2,160 (250 Mbps plan)	$720 (1 Mbps plan)
Customer rating	2.7 of 5 (21 reviews)	No reviews yet
Rated for speed	3.2 of 5	No reviews yet
Rated for price	2.5 of 5	No reviews yet
Where both are offered	About 939 people (53% of Bristol Bay Telephone Cooperative's area); GCI is faster for 14% of them, the same top speed for 86%

Coverage and top speeds: FCC filings; plans and prices: our pricing table; ratings: verified customer reviews on ISP Reports. Check your address for what is offered at your home.

Where GCI and Bristol Bay Telephone Cooperative are available

GCI and Bristol Bay Telephone Cooperative have distinct coverage footprints across the United States. Our interactive map shows exactly where each provider offers service and where they overlap, helping you understand your options.

GCI currently offers internet service in 145 cities and 22 counties across 1 state, reaching approximately 579,865 residents. Their service area includes major markets like Anchorage, AK; Fairbanks, AK; and Eagle River, AK. By comparison, Bristol Bay Telephone Cooperative serves 1,762 residents in 7 cities and 3 counties in 1 state, with a presence in population centers such as New Stuyahok, AK; Naknek, AK; and King Salmon, AK.

Each provider’s own page has its full coverage map, county by county: GCI coverage map and Bristol Bay Telephone Cooperative coverage map.

Availability changes from one street to the next. Check your address to see whether GCI, Bristol Bay Telephone Cooperative or both are offered at your home.

GCI vs. Bristol Bay Telephone Cooperative Speeds and Technology

GCI and Bristol Bay Telephone Cooperative utilize different network technologies to deliver internet service, resulting in varying speed capabilities across their service areas.

In terms of potential speeds across the country, GCI offers higher overall speeds, with speeds for most covered areas averaging 2,376 Mbps compared to Bristol Bay Telephone Cooperative’s average speed of 14 Mbps.

The availability of each provider’s fastest technology varies significantly by location. GCI’s premium Fiber service reaches 2.9% of their coverage area. Meanwhile, Bristol Bay Telephone Cooperative’s top-tier DSL is available to 100.0% of their footprint. Even within the same technology type, speed offerings can vary based on local infrastructure investments.

GCI vs. Bristol Bay Telephone Cooperative Plans and Prices

Below are the current internet plans and pricing details for GCI and Bristol Bay Telephone Cooperative, drawn from our independently maintained pricing database. The source and verification date for each provider's plans are noted beneath the table.

Provider representatives can send plan or pricing updates through our contact page; verified changes publish shortly after review.

Most households with 3-5 users need download speeds of at least 100 Mbps for smooth streaming, video conferencing, and everyday internet usage. Larger households or those with heavy users (gamers, 4K streamers, or remote workers) should consider plans with speeds of 300 Mbps or more for optimal performance.

Any prices listed are the base service rates and may not include additional charges such as equipment fees, installation costs, or other service-related expenses. For a comprehensive view of all potential charges, refer to our Fees & Details section below.

GCI vs. Bristol Bay Telephone Cooperative Customer Ratings and Reviews

Compare how real customers rate GCI and Bristol Bay Telephone Cooperative based on our comprehensive database of verified customer reviews across all service types.

Fees vary by plan and location. The fees shown apply to most plans; check with the provider for costs specific to your plan.

When comparing internet providers, remember that advertised prices rarely tell the complete story. Equipment fees alone can add $10-15 per month to your bill, while installation charges, early termination fees, and data overage penalties can significantly increase your total cost of service. Consider these additional costs alongside monthly rates when determining which provider offers the better value for your specific needs.

GCI vs. Bristol Bay Telephone Cooperative Pros and Cons

GCI

From 18 written customer reviews on ISP Reports and our plan data.

Pros

• Faster where both are offered: the faster top speed for 14% of those homes.
• Available to more people: 578,213 in 1 state, vs 1,762.

Cons

• Expensive for what you get: a complaint in 9 of 18 written reviews (4 call it good value). "kind of expensive for what we are given"
• Poor customer service: a complaint in 7 of 18 written reviews. "calling support to Mehico does not help since they cannot be understood"
• Outages and drops: a complaint in 3 of 18 written reviews. "total neighborhood outage while being told there is no outage"
• Slow uploads: 40 Mbps up on its 1,000 Mbps plan.

Bristol Bay Telephone Cooperative

No written reviews yet; these lines come from our data.

Pros

• Cheaper to start: $30 a month, vs $89.99 from GCI.

Cons

• Data caps on some plans.

GCI vs. Bristol Bay Telephone Cooperative Top Cities

GCI serves 145 cities while Bristol Bay Telephone Cooperative is available in 7 cities nationwide. The tables below highlight their largest markets and areas where customers can choose between both providers.